SCOTLAND

Christmas

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department has spent on Christmas  (a) cards,  (b) parties and  (c) decorations in the last 12 months.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office did not incur any expenditure in relation to Christmas parties or Christmas cards within the last 12 months. £262.33 plus VAT was spent on Christmas decorations.

Departmental Consultants

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on external consultancy in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. Since that date expenditure on external consultancy has been as follows:
	
		
			   Expenditure (£) 
			 1999-2000 0 
			 2000-01 0 
			 2001-02 23,329 
			 2002-03 10,720 
			 2003-04 10,044 
			 2004-05 2,817 
			 2005-06 0 
			 2006-07 0 
			 2007-08 0

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department has spent on  (a) flat screen televisions,  (b) DVD players and  (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office expenditure on flat screen televisions, DVD players and stereo equipment in each of the last three years is listed as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Flat screen televisions 0 0 2,076 
			 DVD players 0 0 0 
			 Stereo equipment 0 0 0 
		
	
	All expenditure has to be incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Internet

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for which Government websites his Department is responsible; how many visitors each received in the last period for which figures are available; and what the cost of maintaining each site was in that period.

Ann McKechin: Between April 2007 and March 2008, the Scotland Office web-site received 94,714 visitors. During this period, the cost of hosting the site was £550 and the cost of routine maintenance was £2,440.
	The Scotland Office sponsors the Boundary Commission for Scotland which runs its own website. Between April 2007 and March 2008, that website received 686,342 page hits. The number of visitors is not separately recorded. During this period, the cost of running the site was £1,320. Routine maintenance is carried out internally, and associated staff costs are not collected separately.

Departmental Land

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much surplus land his Department owns; and what the  (a) area and  (b) estimated monetary value of each site is.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office does not own any land.

Departmental Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office did not employ any staff to undertake branding activities in 2007-08.

Departmental Marketing

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on  (a) publicity and  (b) advertising in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999. Since that date expenditure on publicity and advertising has been as follows:
	
		
			   Expenditure (£) 
			 1999-2000 26,861 
			 2000-01 270,494 
			 2001-02 186,564 
			 2002-03 10,390 
			 2003-04 0 
			 2004-05 0 
			 2005-06 0 
			 2006-07 17,510 
			 2007-08 0 
		
	
	Most of the expenditure in 2000-01 and 2001-02 relates to electoral registration matters. Since 2001, this has been the responsibility of the Electoral Commission.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years.

Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office does not maintain records of the administrative time provided to special advisers and therefore is unable to identify the full time equivalent figure. However no staff, in the three years to 30 March 2008, were dedicated to supporting special advisers.

Departmental Written Questions

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 251-2W, on departmental written questions, what the cost of providing the answer was.

Ann McKechin: The cost of providing the answer to the Member was minimal and well within the disproportionate cost limit.

Racial Harassment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in the last 12 months.

Ann McKechin: There have been no complaints of racial abuse in the Scotland Office in the last 12 months.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the written ministerial statement by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport of 4 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 102-5WS, on tackling alcohol-related problems, when the summit of police and local authorities to discuss proposals to tackle alcohol-related problems was convened; and what the outcome of the discussion was.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 10 November 2008
	The Home Office and Department for Culture Media and Sports jointly held a summit with senior police officers and local authority chief executives on 5 June to discuss how the powers in the Licensing Act 2003 and other interventions can be used most effectively to control problem premises which sell alcohol. Following the successful summit, the Department for Culture Media and Sports has issued guidance on a range of innovative and tough conditions as well as on the introduction of the 'yellow card/red card' scheme to encourage earlier and stronger intervention to tackle problem premises. The Home Office has recently rolled out bespoke, regional workshops to help frontline practitioners to better understand and encourage them in the use of the general alcohol-related tools and powers and specifically Licensing Act 2003 offences.
	We will be augmenting these workshops with a comprehensive support package including updated tools and powers guidance, video training modules and reference materials.

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) cautions and  (b) arrests for alcohol-related offences there were in (i) Ashford constituency and (ii) Kent in the last eight quarters for which records are available.

Alan Campbell: The information requested in respect of cautions, covering offences of (a) drunkenness, (b) drunkenness with aggravation, (c) offences against the licensing acts, (d) other offences against intoxicating liquor laws, and (e) selected motoring offences, is provided in the following table. The Office for Criminal Justice Reform is unable to provide data for Ashford constituency as data are not collected at the level required.
	The information requested on arrests is not collected centrally. The arrests collection held by the Home Office covers arrests for recorded crime (notifiable offences) only, broken down at a main offence group level, covering categories such as violence against the person and robbery. The alcohol related offences presented in the table are not notifiable offences and do not form part of the arrests collection.
	From data reported to the Ministry of Justice, with the exception of these offences, it is not possible to separately identify whether arrests and cautions for other offences were alcohol related.
	
		
			  Number of offenders cautioned( 1)  for alcohol related offences( 2)  and issued with penalty notices for disorder (PNDs)( 3)  in the Kent police force area, broken down by quarter, 2005 to 2006( 4,5) 
			   2005  2006 
			   Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4  Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4 
			 Cautions 55 34 25 27 20 37 28 31 
			 PNDs 312 424 434 463 408 524 514 509 
			 (1) From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and final warnings. These figures have been included in the totals. (2) Includes offences of: (a) Drunkenness simple. 
			 (b) Drunkenness with aggravation simple. (c) Offences by licensed person. (e) Driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs. (d) Other offences against intoxicating liquor laws. (3) Includes all alcohol related penalty notices for disorder: Drunk and disorderly Selling alcohol to person under 18 Selling alcohol to a person who is drunk Supplying alcohol to a person under 18 Purchasing alcohol for person under 18 in licensed premises Purchasing alcohol for person under 18 for consumption in a bar in licensed premises Delivering alcohol to person under 18 or allowing such delivery Being drunk in a highway, other public place or licensed premises Consuming alcohol in designated public place Consuming alcohol by person under 18 in licensed premises Allowing consumption of alcohol by person under 18 in licensed premises Purchase of alcohol by a person under 18 (4) The cautions statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is the more serious offence. (5) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the costs of alcohol-related crime in  (a) Ribble Valley,  (b) Lancashire and  (c) the UK since the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003.

Alan Campbell: The Home Office has estimated that in 2006-07 the cost of alcohol related crime in relation to England and Wales was £9 billion-15 billion. We are not able to break down the figures to local authority area. This estimate is based on the crime figures from 2006-07, and the Home Office is not able to compare the costs before and after the Licensing Act 2003 came into force. The estimate was published in the impact assessment which accompanied the Department of Health's consultation on the next steps in the Alcohol Strategy. This can be found at:
	http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_086412.
	The 2008 review of the Licensing Act found that since the new legislation came into effect, serious violent crime at night was down 5per cent. and less serious wounding at night was down 3 per cent.
	However, between October 2005 and September 2006 there was a small increase in offences reported between 3 am and 6 am (these represent only 4 per cent. of night-time offences).

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of her Department's funding will be allocated to alcohol arrest referral pilots in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) each of the next three years.

Jacqui Smith: In the current financial year, the Home Office expects to spend £1.275 million on the alcohol arrest referral pilots. This includes the grants paid to the pilot areas, as well as the costs of evaluating the pilots. The Home Office expects that in 2009-10, the amount spent on the alcohol arrest referral pilots will be £1.795 million. The funding allocation for the alcohol arrest referral pilots has not yet been agreed for 2010-11 or beyond.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders: West Midlands

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many breaches of anti-social behaviour orders have been recorded in  (a) Tamworth constituency,  (b) Staffordshire and  (c) the west midlands in each year since the inception of such orders;
	(2)  how many breaches of anti-social behaviour orders have resulted in a criminal conviction in  (a) Tamworth constituency,  (b) Staffordshire and  (c) the west midlands in each year since the inception of such orders.

Alan Campbell: Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) became available in April 1999. Information collected centrally on the number of breaches of ASBOs counts only those instances where the breach of the ASBO was proven in court.
	ASBO breach data are available for ASBOs issued between 1 June 2000 and 31 December 2006 (latest available) and are not compiled below Criminal Justice System (CJS) area level.
	The number of occasions in each year on which ASBOs were proven in court to have been breached in the Staffordshire and the west midlands CJS areas is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  N umber of occasions in the Staffordshire and west midlands CJS areas( 1)  in each year between 1 June 2000 and 31 December 2006 where persons were proven in court to have breached their ASBO 
			  Number 
			   Staffordshire  West midlands 
			 2000-02(2) 10 112 
			 2003 19 137 
			 2004 40 344 
			 2005 62 488 
			 2006 68 408 
			 1 June 2000 to  31 December 2006 199 1,489 
			 (1) ASBOs may be issued in one area and breached in another. Breaches are counted in this table by area of breach.  (2) From 1 June 2000.   Note:  Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.   Sources:  1. OCJR Court Proceedings Database.  2. Prepared by OCJR Evidence and Analysis Unit.

Antisocial Behaviour: Greater London

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to reduce alcohol misuse and anti-social behaviour in London, with specific reference to south- west London.

Alan Campbell: The Home Office work in relation to tackling alcohol misuse is focused on areas prioritised on the basis of perceptions of drunk or rowdy behaviour and police-recorded crime statistics for less serious wounding. However, the Home Office is taking a number of steps to tackle alcohol misuse and ASB in London.
	For example, in relation to tackling alcohol misuse, we are rolling out bespoke media campaigns in seven priority areas. These 'Know Your Limits'-based local media campaigns will take place from December 2008 to March 2009. These campaigns will communicate the national responsible drinking 'Know Your Limits' messages using a tailored approach for each local area. The areas where this will take place are Stoke-On-Trent, Stevenage, Southampton, North East Lincs, Weymouth, Durham and Barking and Dagenham.
	Additionally, we are holding a series of two-day bespoke regional practitioner training workshops (the first of which took place in London on 28 to 29 October) on the application of the Licensing Act 2003 and practical enforcement of offences under it; and the use and enforcement of other alcohol-related tools and powers, including designated public places orders (DPPOs) and alcohol disorder zones (ADZs). The second event, in Cambridge, was held on the 18 to 19 November. These workshops will be accompanied by the publication of a comprehensive digital support package early in 2009.
	Also, in October 2007, four Home Office-funded alcohol arrest referral (AAR) projects began operating, one of which was in Ealing in south-west London. Alcohol arrest referral schemes aim to reduce offending among people arrested for alcohol related offences by providing them with advice on the links between unsafe drinking levels and offending. It is hoped that if the AAR schemes, such as Ealing in south-west London, demonstrate a reduction in the level of re-offending, local authorities will be persuaded, due to the savings to the CJS, to re-prioritise funding in order to pay for future provisions. A further nine pilots, funded by the Home Office started in November 2008; of which one, Islington, is in London.
	Further, five London boroughs are benefiting from the Tackling Violent Crime Programme: Barking and Dagenham, Westminster, Greenwich, Southwark and Newham. This funding is aimed at the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership's work in aiming to reduce alcohol related violent crime and domestic violence.
	In relation to antisocial behaviour, the Home Office have provided practitioners with a toolkit to tackle antisocial behaviour, which they operate according to local priorities as well as a practitioner website and advice line. In south-west London, a multidisciplinary antisocial behaviour team operates many initiatives, based on prevention and enforcement that engage, educate and promote awareness among young people, engage with residents and tackle antisocial behaviour in families.
	Additionally, in autumn 2007, antisocial behaviour practitioners in London suggested that assistance in using ASB preventative tools and powers to combat alcohol-related disorder would be useful. Government Office for London was successful in drawing down £25,000 from the Home Office to fund a research project examining this very issue and a well-received guide—'What Works to Tackle Alcohol-related Disorder?: An Examination of the Use of ASB Tools and Powers in London'—was completed by London South Bank university earlier this year. The final report contains a number of observations and recommendations that will lead to real improvements in tackling alcohol related antisocial behaviour and disorder in London.

Asylum

Patrick Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of asylum seekers who were detained during 2007 were subsequently released on temporary admission and then rearrested and detained;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of asylum seekers detained during 2007 were released on temporary admission.

Phil Woolas: The information requested is not available.
	Following a change in the computer system in which information is collected, summary statistics on all persons recorded as leaving detention in the UK solely under Immigration Act powers by reason for leaving detention are not available after September 2006. Information for 2005 and January to September 2006 is available from the Library of the House and in Table 9.3 of each year's Asylum Statistics United Kingdom publication published each August
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb1407.pdf.

Counter Terrorism Command

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of Special Branch SO12 transferred to Counter Terrorism Command (SO15)  (a) at the time SO15 was set up and  (b) since that time.

Vernon Coaker: The Metropolitan Police Service's Counter Terrorism Command was formed in October 2006 through a merger of both the resources and the personnel of the anti-terrorist branch and special branch. The total number of staff in this newly formed branch is in excess of 1,500.

Crime: Diplomatic Service

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will assess the adequacy of the procedures in place to investigate cases involving alleged criminality by holders of diplomatic passports, with particular reference to the cases of  (a) Mr Ananias Tumukunde and  (b) Ms Rose Birungi; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: Diplomatic passports do not automatically provide immunity from criminal jurisdiction in the UK. In each case the investigating authority will need to determine whether the individual is entitled to immunity from criminal jurisdiction under the relevant UK law, primarily the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964 or the State Immunity Act 1978. However, it is ultimately for the courts to decide questions of immunity.

Departmental Catering

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether food and drink on sale to staff of  (a) her Department and  (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds.

Phil Woolas: A cash subsidy is paid to support  (a) one staff restaurant in the Department and  (b) catering and vending at one agency site. These subsidies total £67,300 per year. Otherwise cash subsidies are not paid.

Departmental Computers

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many documents there were on laptops stolen from her Department in each year since 2001.

Jacqui Smith: I am unable to answer this question as to do so would incur disproportionate costs.

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department and its agencies have spent on  (a) flat screen televisions,  (b) DVD players and  (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years.

Phil Woolas: The Department's accounts system does not hold the information at the requested level of detail. An answer could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
	Departmental expenditure is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Information Officers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost to her Department was of employing a press and media officer in 2007-08.

Phil Woolas: Press and media officers in the Home Office are employed at the senior information officer (SIO) and information officer (IO) grades. The following tables provide information on the salary scales for both grades (minimum to maximum and the allowances payable for out of hours working.
	
		
			  Salary Scales 
			  £ 
			  Grade  Gross Pay (includes RRA)  ERNIC  Superannuation  Total 
			 SIO (Max scale) 44,829 5,738 7,397 57,964 
			 SIO (Min scale) 38,563 4,936 6,363 49,862 
			 IO (Max scale) 37,149 4,755 6,130 48,034 
			 IO (Min scale) 32,034 2,980 4,324 39,338 
		
	
	
		
			  Allowances 
			  £ 
			   Allowances  On c all (Radio Pager)  On c all (Home)  Stand by (Office) 
			 SIO and IO More than 12 hrs-weekdays 5.47 6.87 12.98 
			 SIO and IO Sat/Sunday full 24 hrs 15.62 19.53 37.24 
			 SIO and IO Public/Bank Holidays full 24 hrs 19.77 24.66 46.74

Departmental NDPBs

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by her Department; and what budget each has been set for  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Phil Woolas: Non-departmental public bodies for which the Home Office has lead responsibility are set out in the Department's 2007-08 Resource Accounts which can be found at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/resource-accounts-07-08
	Wider details on Home Office executive NDPBs are published through the annual public bodies exercise that is owned by Cabinet Office. The Home Office contribution to public bodies 2008 can be found at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/Public-bodies-2008
	Details of funding for 2008-09 can be found in the Home Office 2008-09 Main Estimate (HC 479) and on HM Treasury's website available at:
	www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/mainest08_11_ho.pdf
	Indicative figures for 2009-10 and 2010-11 can be found in Table 5.1 of the 2008 Departmental Report in Cm 7396 and on the Home Office website at:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/ho-annual-report-08
	The advisory NDPBs sponsored by the Department incur little or no expenditure and are resourced from within the Department. As a result, information on budgets for 2008-11 is not available.

Departmental Pilot Schemes

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which pilot projects initiated by her Department in the last two years have not proceeded to further roll-out.

Phil Woolas: Trialling or piloting systems and processes, or their component parts, is normal practice throughout the lifecycle of projects large and small. Records of such trials and pilots are not held centrally. Details of their status and rollout could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Procurement

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2008,  Official Report, column 259W, on Departmental procurement, what payments her Department made to Heathrow Gymnastics Club in 2007-08; on what dates; and for what purpose in each case.

Jacqui Smith: Pursuant to the answer of 21 October 2008,  Official Report, column 259W, on departmental procurement, based on the purchase order data held in the Home Department's financial database, the details of the payments made to Heathrow Gymnastics Club in 2007-08 are as follows:
	
		
			   Description of purchase  Value (£) 
			 4 May 2007 Rental of gym for personal safety training of Home Office UK Border Agency staff 1,300.00 
			 2 November 2007 Rental of gym for personal safety training of Home Office UK Border Agency staff 1,560.00 
			 7 April 2008 Rental of gym for personal safety training of Home office UK Border Agency staff 1,300.00

Departmental Public Expenditure

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from which companies her Department has purchased goods and services of a total value above £1 million in each of the last three years; and how much was spent in respect of each such company.

Phil Woolas: I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 November 2008,  Official Report, column 794W.

Deportation

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations have been made to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission on cases of deportation on the grounds of threat to national security; how many cases there are where individuals are awaiting deportation; how many applications have been rejected in the last  (a) year and  (b) five years; how many cases are awaiting tribunal decisions; what the average length of time taken to process a tribunal case has been since the Commission's inception; and in how many cases individuals are under watch on bail after a successful appeal against their deportation.

Phil Woolas: There are 12 cases where individuals are subject to deportation on national security grounds and 11 of these are at various stages of the appeals process. In the past year, one national security deportation case has been determined by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC). That appeal was dismissed. In the past five years, a further 12 national security deportation appeals have been determined by SIAC; three were allowed, and the other nine were dismissed. Two national security deportation cases are currently awaiting hearings before SIAC.
	The Home Office does not collect information about the length of time taken between an appeal being lodged with SIAC and a determination issuing.
	As a matter of policy, we do not comment on operational matters affecting national security. I therefore cannot say whether or not any of those who have had their appeals allowed (or where the notice of intention to deport has been withdrawn) are subject to surveillance.

Detention Centres: Children

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many minors have been held in detention centres for the purposes of immigration control in each of the last 10 years, broken down by  (a) age and  (b) sex.

Phil Woolas: The requested information is not available; the Home Office published the number of persons recorded as leaving detention in the UK solely under Immigration Act powers between January 2005 and September 2006. The accompanying table shows the number of children who left detention by age and sex for this period. Information outside this time period is not available.
	National Statistics on detention are published annually and quarterly in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin Control of Immigration. Information on the number of persons detained, as at the last Saturday of the quarter, broken down by sex and those who are under 18 years of age, are published in table 10 of the Quarterly Asylum Bulletin, which is available in the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html.
	
		
			  Children( 1)  recorded as leaving detention in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers, January 2005 to September 2006, by age( 2,3,4)  (excluding Oakington and Harwich) 
			   Number of children 
			   2005  January to September 2006 
			  Male Female Total Male Female Total 
			 Under 5 years 405 390 795 280 245 530 
			 5 to 11 305 280 585 240 185 425 
			 12 to 16 210 185 395 120 105 230 
			 17 40 40 85 35 20 50 
			 Total children 960 900 1,860 675 560 1,235 
			 (1) Persons recorded as under the age of 18 at the end of their period of detention. (2) Recorded age at the end of their period of detention. (3) Figures rounded to the nearest five and may not sum to the totals shown because of independent rounding. Figures exclude persons recorded as detained in police cells and Prison Service establishments, those recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers at time of removal/release and their children. (4) Some detainees may be recorded more than once if, for example, the person has been detained on more than one separate occasion in the time period shown.

Drinking Banning Orders

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions  (a) she and  (b) departmental officials have had with Ministerial colleagues and officials in the Ministry of Justice on the (i) introduction and (ii) enforcement of drinking banning orders.

Alan Campbell: Home Office Ministers and officials continue to have discussions with their counterparts in the Ministry of Justice about the introduction of legislation, including Drinking Banning Orders (DBOs). However, a decision has been taken not to commence these powers in the light of recent developments; an improvement in alcohol-related disorder problems and the Government's Alcohol Strategy which sets out the way forward for tackling alcohol misuse. We will continue to monitor the situation and take stock at a later date on whether, in the light of this, there is a need to commence DBOs.

Driving Offences: Fixed Penalties

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notices for speeding were issued to drivers in each year since 1997 for which records are available.

Alan Campbell: The information requested on fixed penalty notices covering the period from 1997 to 2006 (latest available) is provided in the following table.
	Information for 2007 is due to be published in early 2009.
	
		
			  Number of fixed penalty notices issued( 1)  for speed limit offences( 2) , England and Wales 1997-2006 
			   Number issued 
			 1997 712,753 
			 1998 781,016 
			 1999(3) 805,484 
			 2000(3) 941,676 
			 2001(3) 1,151,108 
			 2002(3) 1,407,266 
			 2003(3) 1,894,750 
			 2004 1,924,384 
			 2005 1,919,565 
			 2006 1,773,412 
			 (1) Includes fixed penalties paid where there is no further action (2) Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973. (3) Revised since original publication following amendments received from forces.  Note:  Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Driving Under Influence: Drugs

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what work her Department has carried out since December 2005 on a detailed specification for a device to facilitate roadside testing for the presence of illegal drugs.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 18 November 2008
	The Department's advisers in the Forensic Science Service and HO Scientific Development Branch have been working together, with outside experts and in consultation with manufacturers, to prepare such a specification. This work is continuing.

Drug Seizures

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she plans to take to increase awareness in local communities of seizures of assets from drug dealers.

Jacqui Smith: Police forces are encouraged to consider adopting campaigns like "Payback" and "Rat on a Rat" to increase awareness in local communities. In addition we issue quarterly data to the media on amounts of money paid back to local police forces, under the asset recovery incentive scheme, from assets seized from drug dealers and other criminals.

Drugs: Crime

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funds her Department has allocated to the Street Level Up initiative for tackling drug dealers  (a) in each of the last two years and  (b) for the next two years.

Jacqui Smith: The Home Office allocated a grant payment of £75,000 to the Street Level Up initiative in 2007. A further grant payment of £50,000 has been agreed for 2008.

Drugs: Crime

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criminal asset sharing agreements are in place between the UK and other countries under the Drugs Action Plan 2008 to 2011.

Jacqui Smith: There are currently six Asset Sharing Agreements already in place between the UK and the following countries; Canada, USA, Jamaica, Colombia, the Netherlands and UAE. The UK can also enter into ad hoc agreements.

Drugs: Crime

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance has been issued to police on the powers and sanctions available to them to tackle the supply of illegal drugs on streets in the last 12 months.

Jacqui Smith: The National Police Improvement Agency published Practice Advice on the Investigation of drug offences (Level 1) in 2008.

Drugs: Crime

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces  (a) are participating and  (b) are planned to participate in the Street Level Up initiative for tackling drug dealers.

Jacqui Smith: There are seven police forces currently participating in the Street Level Up initiative, in addition to the Serious Organised Crime Agency. They are:
	Avon and Somerset
	Devon and Cornwall
	Dorset
	South Wales
	Sussex
	Greater Manchester
	Merseyside.
	The initiative is work in progress and aims to encourage additional forces to participate over time.

Drugs: Crime

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the national drug intervention programme regional representative group proposed in the Drugs Action Plan 2008 to 2011 was established; how many times it has met; who the members of the group are; and what the running costs of the group will be in 2008-09.

Jacqui Smith: The first Drug Interventions Programme regional representatives group, known as the Drug Interventions Programme Regional Operational Group (DIPROG), was held on the 21 May 2008. It has since met on 9 September 2008 and its next meeting will take place on 9 December 2008.
	Membership consists of representatives from the Home Office Drug Interventions Programme and Prolific and Priority Offenders teams, the National Treatment Agency, Ministry of Justice (National Offender Management Service and HM Court Services), Crown Prosecution Service, Welsh Assembly Government, Association of Chief Police Officers, regional Government Offices and National Treatment Agency teams.
	The group's members attend meetings as part of their role, and cover their own travel and other expenses. The Home Office provides the venue for meetings either using Government buildings or, where it is unavoidable, bought conference facilities. Final costs for 2008-09 are not yet available.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when pilots to extend integrated offender management models for drug misusing offenders will be introduced; in which areas they will be introduced; and what their cost will be.

Jacqui Smith: The Government announced on 16 July this year that the Integrated Offender Management pioneer areas would be based in Nottinghamshire, Lancashire, London, west Yorkshire and the west midlands, to strengthen and extend existing partnership work to reduce crime and re-offending in those areas, including drug-related crime. £1.65 million has been made available by the Home Office and Ministry of Justice jointly so far this year to assist development and monitoring of the approach. All the areas except west midlands, which is expected to start in the new year, are already operational.

Extradition

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been  (a) extradited from the UK under European arrest warrant,  (b) extradited to the UK under European arrest warrant,  (c) extradited to the US under the UK/US extradition treaty and  (d) extradited to the UK under the UK/US extradition treaty; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: Extradition is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Home Affairs. The Extradition Act 2003, which gave effect to the provisions of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) in the UK, came into force on 1 January 2004. Since that date and up to 30 September 2008, 920 people had been extradited from the UK under the EAW, and 335 people had been extradited to the UK under the EAW.
	In the same period, 55 people have been extradited to the US from the UK; and 23 people have been extradited to the UK from the US. A new UK/US extradition treaty came into force on 26 April 2007; prior to that, requests were made and received under the 1972 extradition treaty.

Football: Arrests

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the annual Football Arrest Statistics document was not published in October 2008; and when she expects it to be published.

Alan Campbell: The Football Banning Orders Authority, who manage football banning orders and collate police information in respect of every football match in England and Wales, moved offices in August. Consequently the relevant IT system was unavailable for a short time. This led to a delay in processing detailed information on arrests for football related offences. The statistics will be published on 25 November.

Forced Marriage

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the incidence of forced marriage in the UK.

Gillian Merron: I have been asked to reply.
	It is not possible to give an estimate of the number of cases of forced marriage in the UK, due to the underground nature of the abuse, as well as issues around recording of forced marriages by agencies, and the sharing of recorded information. The joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) has been involved in 1,308 incidences of forced marriage or potential forced marriage in the first three quarters of 2008. As well as cases where the FMU has directly intervened, this statistic also includes incidences where the unit has provided support to an individual facing potential forced marriage who has made an anonymous call for advice to the public helpline and incidences where the FMU has provided referral support and guidance to agencies handling a case locally. We believe that this figure represents only a fraction of the total number of incidences of forced marriage in the UK, with many more being handled by local statutory or voluntary sector agencies without referral to the FMU and a far greater number going unreported.

Genetics: Databases

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 8 October 2007,  Official Report, column 165W, on genetics: databases; if she will place in the Library a copy of the equality impact assessment conducted by the National Policing Improvement Agency relating to the national DNA database.

Meg Hillier: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Brent, East (Sarah Teather) on 12 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1217W.

Human Trafficking: London

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her most recent estimate is of the percentage of people trafficked into the United Kingdom who entered via or who pass through London.

Alan Campbell: There is no estimate of the percentage of people trafficked through London.
	However, we continue to improve our knowledge of the nature and scale of human trafficking through the work of the UK Human Trafficking Centre and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP). This is being done both through analysis of intelligence gained during frontline agency operations and through research.

Identity Cards: Foreigners

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason 10 fingerprints will be collected from foreign nationals applying for identity cards instead of the two fingerprints required under EC Regulation No. 380/2008.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 13 October 2008
	Capturing and enrolling all 10 fingerprints onto our system will allow us to search other biometric databases providing a more robust approach to confirming identity. In the unlikely event we are unable to make a match against the two fingerprints held on the identity card for foreign nationals, we can make a further check against the applicant's other fingerprints.
	In addition, we can verify identity with other fingerprint records we hold. As such, we are able to tie a person to a single identity which will help tackle immigration abuses and identity fraud.

Identity Cards: Foreigners

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the separate pieces of information set out in Schedule 1 of the Identity Cards Act 2006 will be retained from foreign nationals applying for identity cards from November 2008.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 13 November 2008
	Identity cards for foreign nationals will be introduced on 25 November under the UK Borders Act 2007. The UKBA is not bound by schedule 1 of the Identity Cards Act 2006, however, the same information set out in schedule 1 of the Identity Cards Act will be collected under the UK Borders Act and will be retained by the Secretary of State as long as retention of the data is necessary for the specified functions e.g. functions under the Immigration Acts or for the prevention or detection of an offence.

Identity Cards: Foreigners

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which database will store the personal data from foreign nationals applying for identity cards from November 2008.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 13 November 2008
	Biometric and biographical data from foreign nationals applying for identity cards from November 2008 will be securely and safely stored on the UKBA's central databases. It will also be stored on the national identity register, once it is up and running and the identity card for foreign nationals has been designated as a document under section 4 of the Identity Cards Act 2006.

Illegal Immigrants: Prisoners

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of time is that each immigration offender detained in the immigration estate has been detained.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is currently not available.
	Following a change in the computer system in which information is collected; summary statistics on all persons recorded as leaving detention in the UK solely under Immigration Act powers by length of detention are not available after September 2006. Information up to that date for each year is available from the Library of the House and in Table 9.4 of each year's Asylum Statistics United Kingdom publication published each August
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb1407.pdf.

Illegal Immigrants: Prisoners

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been detained in the immigration estate in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The requested information is not available; the Home Office published the number of children recorded as leaving detention in the UK solely under Immigration Act powers between January 2005 and September 2006. Information outside this time period is not available.
	National Statistics on how many children are detained on a quarterly snapshot basis is available from the Library of the House and in Table 9.2 of the Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2007 bulletin:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/hosb1108.pdf
	Children are detained in four limited circumstances: first, as part of a family group whose detention is considered appropriate; second, when unaccompanied, while alternative care arrangements are made (and normally only overnight); third, in the case of a former FNP under the age of 18 where it can be shown that they pose a serious risk to the public; and fourth, unaccompanied children escorted from their normal place of residence to a port for the purpose of removal.
	While the detention of families with children is very regrettable, it nevertheless remains necessary in appropriate cases in order to maintain an effective immigration control and to tackle abuses of the asylum and immigration system.

Immigrants: Children

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what timescale she has set for actions and decisions concerning children subject to immigration control to be taken in compliance with the full obligations and rights set out within the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Phil Woolas: The UK Border Agency's treatment of children must be as sensitive as possible.
	Withdrawing the reservation was made possible largely because of the way we have transformed our child protection arrangements since 1991. This includes legislating to impose a duty on UKBA to abide by a code of practice.
	This code is designed to ensure that while exercising its functions in the UK, UKBA takes appropriate steps to ensure that while children are in the UK they are safe from harm. No additional changes to legislation, guidance or practice are currently envisaged.

Immobilisation of Vehicles: Licensing

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) companies and  (b) individuals have been investigated by the Security Industry Authority for an alleged breach of licensing rules relating to vehicle immobilisation in each year since 2002.

Alan Campbell: Information on the number of investigations relating to vehicle immobilisation carried out by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is not available. The SIA does record details of written warnings and improvement notices on its website for all licensable sectors, but not by individual sector, such as the vehicle immobilisation sector.
	A written warning may be issued to an individual or a company found to be in breach of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Similarly an improvement notice may be issued to an individual or a company found to be in breach of the Act.
	The SIA introduced licensing of the private security industry on a phased basis from 2004. It issued the first improvement notices to companies in 2006. 79 companies had been issued with improvement notices as at 31 October 2008. The first written warnings were issued to individuals in 2005 and 981 had been issued by 31 October 2008.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she will answer the letter of 4 August 2008 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mrs Anila Zaidi.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 12 September 2008
	I replied to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 25 September 2008 with full details of the case.

PA Consulting

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the review of all Home Office contracts with PA Consulting has been concluded; and when she will make public the outcome of the review.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 8 October 2008
	The review of contracts between the Home Office and PA Consulting Group has been completed, as we committed to do so, by the end of September 2008. The Home Office Departmental Security Unit (DSU) engaged independent experts from the Security Specialist Squadron of the RAF Police, to carry out this review, under the leadership of the Home Office Commercial Director.
	This work was carried out over the period 15 to 30 September and comprised a detailed review of existing policy and applied procedures in support of each of the nine contracts in place.
	The review concluded that each contract meets or exceeds the minimum requirements from a security and data handling perspective, as set out by OGC and Cabinet Office. The review recommended a small number of areas that could be further strengthened on one of the contracts, which PA Consulting have agreed to and already implemented.
	The detailed report will not be made public, given commercial sensitivities and confidentialities.

Passports

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Identity Card Scheme Cost Report of May 2008, how the estimates of the volume of passports and identity cards to be issued over the next 10 years have been calculated.

Jacqui Smith: Estimates of the volume of passports and identity cards to be issued over the next 10 years are derived by modelling both existing trends of passport issuance among British citizens and the strategy underpinning the roll-out of the national identity scheme, informed by market research as to likely customer behaviour at each stage of the roll-out.

Passports

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports have been issued in each of the last eight years; and what estimate has been made of the number of passports that will be issued in each of the next eight years.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 13 November 2008
	 The following table shows how many passports were issued in each financial year for the 2000-01 to 2007-08 periods.
	
		
			  Financial year  Actual output 
			 2000-01 5,509,704 
			 2001-02 5,588,550 
			 2002-03 5,354,348 
			 2003-04 5,723,473 
			 2004-05 6,031,325 
			 2005-06 6,453,095 
			 2006-07 6,212,339 
			 2007-08 5,683,445 
		
	
	The Identity Cards Scheme Cost Report published in November 2008 sets out the estimated product volumes over the next 10 years, combining the total volume of identity cards and passports issued by IPS to United Kingdom citizens resident in the UK. The figures for issuing both products were combined as, in many cases, the same application would result in the issue of both a passport and an identity card.
	This is the most recently published information on product volumes that is currently available. Previous estimates of product volumes are included in National Identity Scheme Cost Reports that may be found at:
	http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/publications-legislative.asp
	The Identity and Passport Service is currently developing the product choice offered to customers, as indicated in the national identity scheme delivery plan published in March 2008, figures for the projected product volumes will be published in due course.

Passports: Fees and Charges

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the fee revenue from passports has been in each of the last eight years.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 13 November 2008
	 The fee revenue received by IPS over the last eight financial years has been as follows:
	
		
			million 
			 2000-01 134.3 
			 2001-02 138.5 
			 2002-03 153.0 
			 2003-04 197.5 
			 2004-05 242.1 
			 2005-06 277.7 
			 2006-07 345.6 
			 2007-08 375.7

Police: Pay

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many temporary advances issued to police officers in England and Wales  (a) attending courses outside their area is and  (b) performing duty outside their area are outstanding; and what the monetary value of those advances is.

Vernon Coaker: This information is not held centrally.

Police: Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of members of the police pension scheme joined on or after 6 April 2006; and what projections she has made of changes to this figure over time.

Vernon Coaker: Information on the number of members of the police pension schemes is not held centrally. However, virtually all serving officers are members of either the Police Pension Scheme 1987 (PPS) or the New Police Pension Scheme 2006 (NPPS), which was introduced for new entrants on 6 April 2006. Figures in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin series Police Service Strength, England and Walesavailable in the Library and at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/policeorg1.html
	suggest that at 31 March 2008 there were 129,593 officers (91.4 per cent. of the total) eligible for membership of PPS and 12,266 officers (8.6 per cent. of the total) able to be members only of NPPS. No projections have been made of the changes over time to the proportion of officers who joined on or after 6 April 2006, but the proportion of officers who are members of the closed PPS is expected to reduce to zero by about 2036.

Police: Staffordshire

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there are in  (a) Tamworth constituency and  (b) Staffordshire.

Vernon Coaker: There were 2,269 full-time equivalent officers in Staffordshire police and 410 full-time equivalent officers in the basic command unit of Trent Valley as at 31 March 2008. These figures are calculated on a full-time equivalent basis and include officers on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. Police personnel data are not collected by parliamentary constituency.

Prisoners

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the size of the prison population was at the latest date for which figures are available, broken down by ethnic group.

David Hanson: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table shows the prison population of England and Wales at June 30th 2007, broken down by ethnicity:
	
		
			   Number 
			 All nationalities 79,734 
			 White 58,251 
			 Mixed 2,441 
			 Asian or Asian British 5,288 
			 Black or Black British 12,016 
			 Chinese or Other ethnic group 1,154 
			 Not Stated 279 
			 Unrecorded 56 
			 1991 Census ethnic codes 249 
		
	
	This table is taken from table 7.21 in the recently published Offender Management Caseload Statistics, 2007, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library. This table can also be found at the following website:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Protection: Religious Freedom

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces in England and Wales are providing police protection for individuals who have converted from Islam to other faiths.

Vernon Coaker: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Serious and Organised Crime Agency: ICT

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the capability of computer systems used by the Serious and Organised Crime Agency to share data with other agencies; and if she will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 17 November 2008
	SOCA has well-developed processes for exchanging information, set out in its publicly-available Statement of Information Management Practice. These ensure information exchange with partners is timely, risk-assessed, and accords with legal and other standards.
	SOCA has secure electronic links to the police service and major Government partners for the transmission of sensitive material. Further exchange of information is achieved through direct access by partners to SOCA-managed information systems and SOCA uploading information to shared law enforcement systems, as well as via SOCA liaison staff and the operation of inquiry services.

Small Businesses: Crime

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what definition she uses of crime against business.

Alan Campbell: Various definitions of 'business crime' are in use by police forces to reflect local concerns and circumstances. The Government do not specify a particular definition of business crime, but is looking with the National Retail Crime Steering Group, at how a fuller picture of the scale and nature of the crime problems that affect businesses nationally might be obtained.

Telecommunications: Surveillance

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will place in the Library copies of the information which was presented to internet service providers on 3 November 2008 by her Department on the issues and technology surrounding the Government's Interception Modernisation Programme.

Vernon Coaker: We have been considering how we can continue to protect the public by utilising communications data in the light of changing technology and have created the cross-Government Interception Modernisation Programme (IMP) to analyse the available options. Since 2006 there has been ongoing work with intelligence agencies, SOCA, police, HMRC and the telecommunications industry to analyse the size of the problem and to investigate possible solutions to help maintain this essential capability, including relevant safeguards.
	I recognise there is a difficult balance between public safety and public rights to privacy so I recently announced my intention to launch a public consultation on the Interception Modernisation Programme. As part of the ongoing engagements with communications service providers, and to raise awareness of the forthcoming consultation, the Interception Modernisation Programme recently presented at the Internet Services Providers' Association conference, outlining the importance of communications data to public safety and the problems that the move to internet technologies will cause. The consultation document also will set out the range of background issues including the vital requirement of communications data in protecting the UK from serious crime and terrorism, the need for a solution to maintain our capability and the need to provide adequate safeguards as part of any solution.
	This will be published in January 2009 and as a matter of course be placed in the Library. The results of the public consultation will be used to inform any decisions on the programme's preferred solution and safeguards and to determine whether future legislation is needed.

Terrorism

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) arrests and  (b) convictions there were for criminal activity connected to (i) eco-terrorism and (ii) environmental activism in each year since 2001.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	Activities relating to Eco-terrorism and environmental activism are not covered by specific legislation, as such ecological and environmental activists involved in consequential criminal behaviour are likely to be arrested or charged with an offence appropriate to the circumstances (such as criminal damage, common assault etc).
	The arrests collection held by the Home Office covers arrests for recorded crime (notifiable offences) only, broken down at a main offence group level, covering categories such as violence against the person, burglary, robbery and drug offences. Information on the individual circumstances of arrests is not reported to the Home Office.
	The particulars surrounding prosecutions, other than the offence and outcome, are not collected centrally.

UK Border Agency

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officials of the UK Border Agency were stationed outside the UK in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The UK Border Agency came into existence on 1 April 2008, in the last machinery of government changes. It presently has the following staff located abroad:
	
		
			  Staff as at 31 August 2008 
			   UKBA immigration staff( 1)  UK Visas( 2) 
			 Former BIA staff 87.25 280 
			 Former FCO staff  255

UK Border Agency: Expenditure

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the UK Border Agency and its predecessors spent on hotel and other accommodation for its staff  (a) in the UK and  (b) abroad in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The financial record system in use at that time called BASS did not have a category to record hotel payments alone. This figure includes hotels and all subsistence, such as allowances for meals. There was no separate category for UK or overseas accommodation at that time. The total differs slightly due to rounding up from decimal points of the original sums.
	
		
			   
			   2007-08  2006-07  2005-06  2004-05 
			  (a) UK hotel accommodation 4,393,418 5,690,737 1,991,529 0 
			  (b) Overseas hotel accommodation 205,856 187,653 444,733 1,611,415 
			 Total hotel accommodation 4,599,275 5,878,389 2,436,262 (1)1,611,415 
			 (1 )The financial record system in use at that time called BASS did not have a category to record hotel payments alone. This figure includes hotels and all subsistence, such as allowances for meals. There was no separate category for UK or overseas accommodation at that time. The total differs slightly due to rounding up from decimal points of the original sums.

Vetting

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what guidelines her Department has issued for those undertaking Criminal Records Bureau checks;
	(2)  what reviews her Department plans to undertake of procedures for those undertaking Criminal Records Bureau checks.

Meg Hillier: There are a number of published guidelines issued to organisations and applicants undertaking Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks, all of which are available on the CRB website at:
	www.crb.gov.uk
	There are no plans to review the procedures for the undertaking of CRB checks. However, the CRB regularly provide advice and guidance to registered organisations relating to best practice through its customer newsletter and the website.
	Any reviews of procedures affecting those organisations undertaking CRB checks are done so in full consultation with major stakeholders.
	As for the disclosures themselves, standard and enhanced disclosures must contain 'every relevant matter' recorded in 'central records'. This means all convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer (PNC), including spent convictions. Enhanced disclosures must also include any local police force information which, in the chief officer's opinion, might be relevant to the application and ought to be included in the disclosure or exceptionally ought not to be included in the disclosure, in the interests of the prevention or detection of crime, but can without harming those interests, be disclosed to the registered body. It is a matter for each chief officer to decide what additional information might be relevant and should be included in an enhanced disclosure.
	Home Office Circular 5/2005 provides guidance to the police on how forces should approach the task of determining what information is relevant and should be provided to the Criminal Records Bureau as part of the enhanced criminal record certificates. This guidance is available on the Home Office website and this Circular is currently under review.

Vetting

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Criminal Records Bureau checks were found to have been incorrect in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2007; how many individuals were affected in each year; and what estimate she has made of the (i) number and (ii) percentage of individuals in respect of whom the Criminal Records Bureau holds incorrect information.

Meg Hillier: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) do not hold criminal records but does release information held on police records and other data sources.
	The total number of disclosures where the details released by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) were successfully challenged by the applicant in the last three years are detailed in the following table.
	
		
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Total number of disclosures issued 2,770,265 3,277,957 3,323,251 
			 Total number of disputes upheld 2,669 2,797 2,785 
			 Percentage of disputes upheld 0.0963 0.0853 0.0838 
		
	
	Information released on a disclosure can be disputed for a number of reasons including the inclusion of locally held non-conviction information which the applicant believes to be inaccurate or misleading; situations where an applicant has had their identity stolen; or the inclusion of data which an applicant was unaware would appear on the disclosure.
	The CRB cannot provide a figure to determine how many individuals have been affected by records that were found to be incorrect because an applicant may apply for several disclosures in a year and the CRB only records the number of disputes that were raised.
	The CRB is committed to ensure that it maintains high levels of accuracy and the aforementioned table shows that the proportion of upheld disputes has reduced year on year.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to answer question 214526, tabled by the hon. Member for Lewes on 24 June 2008, on US personnel.

Alan Campbell: I replied to the hon. Gentleman on 10 November 2008,  Official Report, column 783W.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Subsidies

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what administration costs were incurred in respect of processing claims made under the Rural Payments Agency in each of the last three years.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 17 November 2008
	The Rural Payments Agency administers a wide range of Common Agricultural Policy schemes including the Single Payment Scheme, internal market schemes, external trade measures, milk quotas and the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme. The following table sets out the cost for administering these CAP schemes for the last three years.
	
		
			  Financial year   million 
			 2005-06 239.2 
			 2006-07 228.3 
			 2007-08 241.7 
		
	
	Financial years cover the period 1 April to 31 March.

Agriculture: Subsidies

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Government has allocated in national aid for nut growers in each of the last five years, broken down by type of nut.

Jane Kennedy: No national aid has been given to nut growers in the past five years.

Air Pollution: EU Law

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects the provisions of the EU Air Quality Directive to be implemented; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, came into force on 11 June and must be transposed into national legislation by 10 June 2010. DEFRA will work with the devolved administrations to achieve this.
	Over the past 10 years the quality of our air has improved and apart from some hotspots alongside busy roads in major cities we are meeting our current objectives for all pollutants in 99 per cent. of the UK.
	The UK is likelyalong with a number of other European countriesto use new provisions in the directive to apply for more time to meet the requirements in respect of particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide. This is because, despite the improvement we have seen in recent years, we are unlikely to meet the current 2010 deadline for nitrogen dioxide. For PM10where the problem is confined chiefly to Londonthe deadline has already passed and we are still exceeding the limits in some areas. The problem with nitrogen dioxide is mainly about existing pollution from traffic in London and in other major cities across the UK.
	Subject to public consultation, we expect to submit an application to the European Commission for flexibility in the compliance date in respect of PM10 early in 2009. The due date for compliance with the limit value for nitrogen dioxide is 2010 and we expect to submit an application for this pollutant in 2010, again after a period of consultation. If applications were granted by the Commission, the maximum period of 'extra time' for implementation would be an extension to 2011 for PM10 and until 2015 for nitrogen dioxide.
	We are determined to take action to tackle the remaining exceedences of the limit values alongside busy roads in some cities particularly London. Following publication of the revised UK Air Quality Strategy in July 2007, we are continuing to make progress on implementing new measures. Budget 2008 includes an incentive through vehicle excise duty of 120 (a saving of 60) for Euro V compliant vans registered between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010 remaining in place for the lifespan of these vehicles.

Angling

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of  (a) people employed in the recreational sea angling sector and  (b) businesses serving the recreational sea angling sector.

Huw Irranca-Davies: A DEFRA-funded study carried out by Drew Associates into the economic impact of the recreational sea angling sector in England and Wales was published in 2004. This study estimated that 18,889 people were employed in the sector, of which 5,652 resulted from shore angling, 3,092 from charter boats and 10,145 from private boat angling. We do not have an estimate of the number of businesses serving the recreational sea angling sector but the same report found that sea anglers generated some 71 million net income in England and Wales for suppliers of services to the sector. Suppliers included tackle and food retailers and accommodation-related businesses.

Angling

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many meetings he has had with  (a) representatives of the commercial fishing sector and  (b) representatives of the recreational sea angling sector since January 2008.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Since my appointment, I have met representatives of the commercial fishing sector and the recreational sea angling sector on 22 October at a meeting with UK marine fisheries stakeholders to discuss priorities for the annual end of year European negotiations over fishing opportunities. I subsequently met representatives of the commercial fishing sector ahead of the November EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, and I have recently accepted an invitation to meet recreational sea angling representatives to discuss issues of concern to them.

Animal Welfare

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will hold discussions with his EU counterparts with a view to minimising the number of tests on animals within the EU.

Jane Kennedy: The European Regulation 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) requires all sectors of industry across the EU to assemble data about the properties and potential human health and environmental impacts of the substances they manufacture in, or import into, the EU and market. Industry will need to carry out more tests in order to fulfil this obligation, but this is balanced by provisions which prohibit duplication of any tests involving animals and promote the use wherever possible of alternative, non-animal, methods for assessing hazards.
	The United Kingdom will continue to play an active role within the European Union and in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to maintain the drive towards new non-animal alternative test methods leading to regulatory approval for their use. We expect the first amendments to the European Test Methods Regulation under REACH to be put to member states for approval early in the new year.

Animal Welfare: Codes of Practice

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost has been to his Department of producing the new draft codes of practice for  (a) cats,  (b) dogs and  (c) equines.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 19 November 2008
	The cost of the consultation exercise on the draft codes of practice, excluding staff costs, was around 1,000.

Animals: Infectious Diseases

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to introduce a comprehensive surveillance of infection in imported pet animals.

Jane Kennedy: The current DACTARI (Dog and Cat Travel And Risk Information) system has been designed to provide a surveillance system for all exotic diseases, although its primary focus is on Leishmaniasis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and Dirofilariasis. The DACTARI system is for the voluntary reporting of such diseases by veterinary surgeons.
	All the diseases reported through the scheme are transmitted by vectors such as insects (e.g. leishmaniasis is transmitted by a sandfly) and not from direct contact with an infected dog or cat. Leishmaniasis is one of the more serious diseases as it can also affect humans. The Health Protection Agency monitors information on human cases diagnosed through their laboratory services.

Birds: Conservation

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the number of robins living in England in each of the last five years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The population of robins in England is not estimated annually. The last estimate was made by Brown and Grice (2005), covering the period 1990-2000. This estimated that the average annual breeding population during that period was 2,969,000 pairs.
	The British Trust for Ornithology's Breeding Bird Survey is based on recording birds in randomly selected 1 km squares every year. While it does not provide estimates of total abundance, it does provide an index of population trends for common and widespread birds. The index for the robin in England has shown an increase of 26 per cent. in the period 1994-2007.

Bluetongue Disease

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what systems exist to monitor the prevalence of blue tongue disease throughout the UK.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has a number of scanning and targeted surveillance measures in place to monitor bluetongue in England, as detailed in the UK-wide Bluetongue Control Strategy.
	This includes specific surveillance work targeted at higher risk areas, and a requirement on anyone who suspects the presence of bluetongue disease to report this to DEFRA (through Animal Health, who then follow up with a veterinary investigation).
	DEFRA also conducts post-import tests on all susceptible animals imported from continental Europe, for all bluetongue serotypes, and urges industry to consider the risks and check the health and vaccination status of any animals sourced from within the UK or abroad.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what systems are in place to establish  (a) how many doses of BtV8 vaccine have been purchased by farmers from vets and  (b) what proportion of them have been administered.

Jane Kennedy: Vaccination against bluetongue in England and Wales is voluntary. Vaccine is delivered through existing veterinary medicine supply chains, an approach agreed with the livestock industry to ensure the simple, rapid roll-out of vaccine to protect animals earlier this year. Because the approach to vaccination is voluntary, no definitive figures can be provided on the numbers of sales from veterinary practices to farmers, or the number of livestock actually vaccinated.
	However, to date, sales data from the supply chain suggest enough vaccine has been sold to vaccinate around 60 per cent. of the susceptible livestock population in England.

British Waterways: Public Relations

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what payments British Waterways  (a) has made in the last 12 months and  (b) is contracted to make to Cavendish Public Affairs; and for what purposes.

Huw Irranca-Davies: British Waterways has paid 58,309.28 + VAT to Cavendish in the last 12 months. Future payments to Cavendish are dependent on levels of support required, and this is due for consideration by British Waterways in early 2009.
	Cavendish has provided a range of support services to British Waterways over the last 12 months including Select Committee preparation, parliamentary events management, and advising on building links with local authorities.

Climate Change

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff were employed in his Department's climate change group on 1 October 2008.

Huw Irranca-Davies: As at 1 October 2008, 510 full-time equivalents were employed in DEFRA's Climate Change Group.

Departmental Consultants

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many external consultants are undertaking work for his Department.

Huw Irranca-Davies: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Departmental Report, published annually, contains much helpful information on DEFRA's expenditure and I refer the hon. Member in particular to Chapter 9 of the 2008 Report: Better Regulation and Corporate Services.

Departmental Contracts

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which organisations provided goods and services for his Department in relation to  (a) hospitality and entertainment,  (b) advertising and promotion,  (c) consultants,  (d) photography,  (e) media training,  (f) media monitoring,  (g) foreign language tuition,  (h) hotel accommodation,  (i) external legal advice,  (j) recruitment and  (k) public affairs in each of the last 10 years; and what the 10 most valuable contracts were in each case.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA came into being in June 2001. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The departmental report, published annually, contains much helpful information on DEFRA's expenditure and I refer the hon. Member in particular to chapter 9: Better Regulation and Corporate Services and chapter 10: Defra's Delivery Partners, of the 2008 report. Copies of previous departmental reports are held in the Library of the House.

Departmental Expenditure

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department's expenditure was on  (a) hospitality and entertainment,  (b) advertising and promotion,  (c) consultants,  (d) photography,  (e) media training,  (f) media monitoring,  (g) foreign language services,  (h) hotel accommodation,  (i) external legal advice,  (j) recruitment and  (k) public affairs in each year since 2001.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA came into being in June 2001. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The departmental report, published annually, contains much helpful information on DEFRA's expenditure and I refer the hon. Member in particular to Chapter 9: Better Regulation and Corporate Services and Chapter 10: Defra's Delivery Partners, of the 2008 report. Copies of previous departmental reports are held in the Library of the House.

Departmental Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent on maintaining his Departmental website in the latest year for which figures are available.

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost of maintaining his Department's website was in 2007-08; and what the forecast costs for maintaining his Department's websites are in 2008-09.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Direct operating coststhe staff costs for the central team with lead responsibility for updating and maintaining websitesare estimated to be around 330,000 for the financial year 2007-08 and about 340,000 for the current financial year. Additional costs arise from the activities of staff in business units across the Department, contributing to the content of websites, but the cost for this could not be readily calculated. Website hosting servicesas well as a range of IT applicationsare provided as part of DEFRA's overall IT service provision and the costs could not be readily disaggregated.

Departmental Lost Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what  (a) equipment and  (b) data was lost by his Department in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has recorded 15 personal data related incidents in its 2007-08 Departmental Report published on 19 May 2008. All involved the loss of laptop computers.
	Since then, a number of initiatives have beenand will continue to beintroduced, aimed at improving the safety of data assets and raise security awareness. This includes encryption rolled out as part of an IT Renew programme, guidance about protecting data (in on-line and paper form) and a project to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Review of Data Handling Procedures in Government.

Departmental Offices

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was spent by his Department on office removal contracts in each of the last three years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: holding answer 17 November 2008
	DEFRA office removal contract expenditure covering the last three financial years:
	
		
			
			 2008-09 299,000 
			 2007-08 613,000 
			 2006-07 237,000

Departmental Older Workers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people recruited by his Department in 2007-08 were aged over  (a) 55 years and  (b) 60 years; and what percentage this represented of the number of new recruits in each case.

Huw Irranca-Davies: In 2007-08, DEFRA (excluding the Executive Agencies) recruited eight staff who were over 55 years of age and fewer than five staff who were over 60 years of age, which represented 2.8 per cent. and 0. per cent. respectively of all new recruits in the period.

Departmental Public Participation

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Devizes of 21 October 2008,  Official Report, column 162W, on departmental public participation, what outcomes resulted from the citizens' jury meeting held with 15 people from Devon in November 2007; and if he will make a statement on the Department's plans for citizens' juries.

Huw Irranca-Davies: holding answer 28 October 2008
	A Citizen's jury was formed as part of a three-year research and development project funded under the Rural Economy and Land Use Programme, lead by the research councils and with supporting funds from DEFRA.
	The project was aimed at determining risks associated with pollution of water courses in the Taw river catchment, Devon, from microbes arising from livestock farming.
	With the specific scientific aim of gaining insight into the public's attitudes and responses to the risks posed to water quality by these microbes, the jury was made up of 15 people from Devon. It was constituted to address:
	defining and attributing responsibilities for water course pollution from the livestock farming sector;
	assigning responsibilities to specific stakeholders on reducing the risk of microbial pollution from livestock farming; and
	the efficacy of specific policy measures to reduce the risk of pollution from livestock farming.
	Within the context of a much wider programme of research, the jury's findings contributed to informing scientific recommendations supporting potential policy options in reducing water course pollution, compatible with current farming practices.
	Citizen juries are one of the research tools available to scientists seeking to gain further insight into the behavioural responses to proposed policy measures, in this instance into potential options to reduce water course pollution. They provide valuable scientific information into the efficacy of proposed options in advance of formulation and implementation. As such they provide an option, of many, for engaging public perceptions of science across research and development programmes. Within the framework of well-defined scientific programmes, they will continue to be convened on a specific needs basis only.

Departmental Public Participation

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 17 September 2008,  Official Report, column 2231W, on departmental public participation, what the timetable is for the Navigator study to be completed.

Jane Kennedy: It is anticipated that the executive summary of the Navigator study will be completed early next year.

Departmental Public Relations

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of  (a) entertainment,  (b) advertising and promotion and  (c) public relations consultancy to his Department in 2007-08.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The core Department holds no information centrally on the expenditure categories of  (a) entertainment  (b) advertising and promotion and  (c) public relations consultancy. It could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Surveillance

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the most recent inspection report of his Department by the Office of the Surveillance Commissioner.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The last report on DEFRA by the Office of Surveillance Commissioner (OSC) was in May 2008. As the report includes sensitive information on the areas and use of covert investigation techniques under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), including the resources available, it would be inappropriate to place the report in the Library.
	The Interception of Communications Commissioner, the Chief Surveillance Commissioner and the Intelligence Service Commissioner, who each have particular inspection and oversight responsibilities under RIPA, publish annual reports. The latest reports were laid before Parliament and copies placed in the House Library on 22 July. The figures provided in the reports for use of specific covert techniques are not broken down by individual public authority. The question of further disclosure for any particular public authority is a matter for the relevant Commissioner.

Departmental Television

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the television licence fee in his official Ministerial residence is paid for from public funds.

Huw Irranca-Davies: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State (Hilary Benn) does not have an official ministerial residence.

Departmental Temporary Employment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which companies were used by his Department for providing temporary staff in each of the last five years; and what the value of contracts with each such company was in each of those years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The totality of this information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Department publishes in its annual departmental report information on its expenditure for consultancy and professional services, which includes temporary staff. I refer the hon. Member to Chapter 9 of the 2008 Report: 'Better Regulation and Corporate Services'.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities have introduced weekly organic waste collections for households  (a) across their locality and  (b) as pilot schemes.

Jane Kennedy: This information is not collected centrally.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the average cost per household to local waste collection authorities of domestic waste collection with  (a) a weekly and  (b) an alternate weekly frequency.

Jane Kennedy: No such estimate has been made.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 6 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 654-56W, on domestic waste, what  (a) financial incentives will be available to and  (b) financial penalties will be imposed on local authorities if they meet or fail to meet the targets for reducing residual household waste.

Jane Kennedy: There are no financial incentives available to, or financial penalties imposed on, local authorities if they meet or fail to meet their agreed targets for reducing residual household waste.
	Many local areas have adopted their own targets around waste management, recycling and street cleanliness. Details of individual agreements are available publicly from the CLG website, IDeA website or from local authorities.

Domestic Wastes

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Beckenham of 9 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 743-45, on the Waste and Resources Action Programme, which of the authorities and partnerships listed in the Answer have been allocated funding to assist with the introduction or implementation of alternate weekly collections.

Jane Kennedy: None of the authorities and partnerships listed have been allocated funding specifically for the introduction or implementation of alternate weekly collections. The Waste and Resources Action Programme's funding for local authorities was designed to help them improve the performance of, and increase levels of public participation in, their recycling and composting services. Funding has been awarded to a large number of local authorities, running a variety of waste collection schemes. In each case, the purpose was to support the local authority's delivery and communication of its strategy for improving recycling rates. What this strategy was in each case, and whether or not it involved the introduction of alternate weekly collection of residual waste, was a matter for the local authority to decide.

Domestic Wastes: Contracts

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 1 September 2008,  Official Report, column 1487W, on domestic wastes: contracts, what the timetable is for the peer review of WR0106 and for the completion of WR0506.

Jane Kennedy: The peer review for WR0106: Achieving Household Waste Prevention Through Service Systems, is now complete. The final report for WR0506: Benefits of Third Sector Involvement in Waste Management, is due to be submitted to DEFRA by the end of November 2008.

Dorneywood

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Answer to the right hon. Member for Horsham of 19 June 2008,  Official Report, column 1187W, on Dorneywood: official hospitality, what use his Department has made of Dorneywood for official engagements in the last 12 months.

Huw Irranca-Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 20 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 90-91W, by my hon. Friend the Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Watson).

Fishing Catches

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the fish catch in EU waters was discarded in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Information on the scale of such discards is not currently available.
	Since 2002 all EU countries have been required to collect data on discarding under Council Regulation 1543/2000, but the information is not yet compiled systematically. Quantities of discards are estimated quarterly using data collected by scientific observers aboard commercial fishing vessels. They are required to record the quantity landed and discarded, and the species and size composition of the discards each time the fishing gear is hauled. Deploying scientific observers in this manner is expensive and time consuming, with the result that it is usually only possible to sample a small proportion of the overall fishing trips in a given area. As a result, it is necessary to extrapolate from the limited sampling to provide estimates for the entire fleet. Although the sampling is intended to cover a representative sample of the fleet, this does mean that the estimates of total discards are subject to uncertainty.
	However, it is clear that in order to more effectively manage discard activity, it is essential that full and accurate data is available for all fisheries, and we continue to press the Commission to ensure this is delivered by member states.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many miles of flood defences will be abandoned if the proposed catchment management plans proceed.

Jane Kennedy: The Environment Agency have now completed 55 out of 68 Catchment Flood Management Plans (CFMPs) for England. Within each CFMP, long term flood risk policies have been assigned to geographical areas.
	Each geographical area is referred to as a policy unit and across England and Wales there are approximately 860. In 38 of these, the flood risk management policy option will be to provide no active intervention. In practice this means that the Environment Agency will continue to monitor flood risk, but will not carry out maintenance on watercourses and defences. Flood risk in these areas is relatively low and the policy reflects the current practice of low intervention to manage risk.
	This policy option will be progressively managed in the long term. Therefore at this stage CFMPs do not identify the length of flood defence where no active intervention will take place.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has received on the proposed catchment flood management plans.

Jane Kennedy: The Environment Agency is responsible for preparing catchment flood management plans in accordance with agreed guidance and they are signed off by the regional director. DEFRA reviews a sample of the plans through its post-approval evaluation process. DEFRA has received a number of representations on this issue from members of the public and MPs over the last six months.

Flowers: Conservation

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding has been provided by his Department for the protection of native species of wild flowering vegetation in each region in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: This information is not held centrally and could be gathered only at a disproportionate cost.

Fly Tipping

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many incidents of fly-tipping in  (a) Ashford constituency and  (b) Kent were reported in the last five years; and how many people were prosecuted for such offences in each year.

Jane Kennedy: The number of fly-tipping incidents and enforcement actions taken are recorded by local authorities. Data are available for the last four years. Ashford borough council recorded the following figures:
	
		
			   Incidents  Prosecutions 
			 2004-05 950 0 
			 2005-06 1,177 2 
			 2006-07 1,450 0 
			 2007-08 1,177 0 
		
	
	The total figures recorded by the 12 district and borough councils and one unitary council within Kent are as follows:
	
		
			   Incidents  Prosecutions 
			 2004-05 29,210 8 
			 2005-06 33,774 22 
			 2006-07 32,778 29 
			 2007-08 22,588 23 
		
	
	Prosecution is just one of a range of enforcement actions which may be taken by a local authority. Other actions for which separate figures are recorded include warning letters, serving of statutory notices, fixed penalty notices and formal cautions.

Fly Tipping: Rural Areas

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to reduce fly-tipping in rural areas.

Jane Kennedy: Fly-tipping occurs in both urban and rural areas. The Government, working with local authorities and the Environment Agency, aim to reduce fly-tipping through better prevention, detection and risk-based enforcement. As members of the National Fly-tipping Prevention Group, DEFRA works closely on this issue with large, private landowner organisations, many of whom have strong rural interests. We are funding the Environment Agency to undertake some specific work this year with these organisations, including the National Farmers Union and Country Land and Business Association, to quantify the extent of fly-tipping on private land and identify best practice to tackle the illegal dumping of waste in these areas.

Food Supply: Competition

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the merits of the Competition Commission's proposed establishment of a new grocery supply code of practice, with particular reference to whether it will provide  (a) clarity and  (b) protection for primary food producers.

Jane Kennedy: The Competition Commission recommended that DEFRA and BERR should consider the introduction of appropriate measures, including the extension of the Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) and the role of the ombudsman or the introduction of a similar, complementary code and arrangements to cover the intermediaries and primary producers. The Government response to chapter 11 was clear in that they would want to see how any change impacts on the operation of the supply chain before considering whether any further action might be necessary.

Food Supply: Competition

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has assessed the merits of the proposal in chapter 11 of the Competition Commission's supply of groceries in the UK report in respect of giving primary food producers the right to initiate complaints about the conduct of grocery retailers.

Jane Kennedy: The Government response to the chapter 11 proposals noted that the Competition Commission would engage with large grocery retailers to implement an ombudsman that could, among other things, consider complaints from primary food producers. If it cannot get agreement the Government will consider establishing the ombudsman itself. The Government would make any assessment based primarily on what would be in consumers' best interests.

Food Supply: Competition

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on the Competition Commission's proposed remedies for primary producers following its report into the grocery sector.

Jane Kennedy: There have been no such discussions.

Forestry Commission: Property

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Forestry Commission has spent on maintaining its domestic properties in each of the last five years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The estimated costs of maintaining the Forestry Commission's domestic properties over the last five years are:
	
		
			   000 
			 2003-04 289 
			 2004-05 202 
			 2005-06 237 
			 2006-07 299 
			 2007-08 247

Growing Sector Investigation

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the Competition Commission's Growing Sector Investigation report published in April.

Jane Kennedy: The Government response to the Competition Commission's inquiry into the UK grocery market was published on 29 July by BERR.

Growing Sector Investigation

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of Chapter 11 of the Competition Commission's Growing Sector Inquiry report in respect of primary producers.

Jane Kennedy: With respect to primary producers, the CC recommended that DEFRA and BERR should consider the introduction of appropriate measures, including the extension of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) and the role of the ombudsman or the introduction of a similar, complementary code and arrangements to cover the intermediaries and primary producers. The Government response was clear in that it would want to see how any change impacts on the operation of the supply chain before considering whether any further action might be necessary.

Gypsum

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the potential risk to  (a) human health and  (b) the environment from hydrogen sulphide gases created when gypsum is mixed with biodegradable wastes in landfills.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 20 November 2008
	 The risk to health and the environment from the mixing of gypsum waste in landfills containing biodegradable landfill is well known and should be avoided to minimise the production of hydrogen sulphide gas which is toxic and odorous. The Landfill Directive implemented in 2005 requires gypsum to be landfilled in separate areas from biodegradable waste.
	The Environment Agency is currently undertaking projects looking at the health effects of landfilling and the quantities of hydrogen sulphide produced at landfills.

Gypsum

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he will publish new guidance on the acceptance of waste gypsum to landfill; and when he expects the new guidance to come into force.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 20 November 2008
	 The Environment Agency is due to publish revised guidance by the end of November 2008.

Gypsum

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how new guidance on the acceptance of waste gypsum to landfill will be disseminated to private sector operators within the waste sector; and by what means he will ensure that the new guidance will be enforced.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 20 November 2008
	 The Environment Agency will issue a press release to accompany its revised regulatory position statement. This will be available to industry (including the construction and demolition industry) and waste managers, through their trade associations, and published in the relevant journals. The position statement will be placed on the Environment Agency website.
	The Environment Agency will e-mail approximately 7,000 businesses, academic institutions and other interested parties advising them of the revised position.
	The Environment Agency will also develop guidance for its staff describing how they should approach compliance assessment over the next few months. This will include awareness raising at relevant sites (landfill and waste transfer stations) leading up to the adoption of its tougher enforcement position from 1 April 2009.

Horses: Conservation

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1293W, on horses: conservation, for what reason the Dartmoor Pony Society has temporarily suspended the issuing of Heritage Trust passports; and what advice the Society has sought from his Department.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Dartmoor Pony Society (DPS) informed DEFRA that they had ceased to produce Heritage Trust passports as of 19 October 2008, as they believed that a number of applications they had received were for ponies that had been presented for sale at the Dartmoor sale in Chagford, Devon and for which passports had already been applied for from a different organisation.
	DEFRA have been in contact with the DPS to help resolve this issue and the Society have informed us that they are now issuing Heritage Trust Passports again.

Incinerators

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what methodology his Department uses to assess the environmental impacts of proposed incineration facilities.

Jane Kennedy: Under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007, operators of proposed incineration installations are required to apply for an operating permit from the regulator (the Environment Agency or, for smaller installations, the local authority). The application must include information relating to the impact of the proposed installation upon the environment, and the regulator will determine the application on that basis using its own methodology.

Inspections

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department and its predecessor has spent on inspections in each of the last 10 years.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 18 November 2008
	DEFRA, through agencies such as Animal Health, the Marine and Fisheries Agency, the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate and the Rural Payments Agency carries out a wide range of inspections throughout the course of a year.
	These range from the inspection of fishing vessels at sea, to cattle identification, the inspection of animal by-product sites and horticultural marketing standards. The information you request could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Littering: Young Offenders

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance provided by  (a) his Department and  (b) the Environment Agency on the issuing of fixed penalty notices for waste offences to juveniles.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA published general guidance on issuing fixed penalty notices to juveniles in 2006. This document, 'Fixed Penalty Notices to Juveniles' is available on the DEFRA website.
	The Environment Agency have not issued any specific guidance on this issue. However, the Environment Agency's enforcement and prosecution policy and functional guidance provide general guidance on the enforcement of environmental offences, including enforcement in respect of juveniles and the elderly.

National Farmers Retail and Markets Association

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the National Farmers Retail and Markets Association.

Jane Kennedy: I have not had any discussions with the National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association (FARMA). However, in recent years both DEFRA Ministers and officials have met with representatives of FARMA to explore how we can work together on our common goals of reconnecting farmers to their markets and helping them to add value. FARMA have also previously presented to our Regional Food Cross-Cutting Group which includes representatives from all the regional development agencies.
	This year, DEFRA officials have been in regular contact with FARMA to ensure they are aware of the documentation required to enable draw down of the first instalment of their Agriculture Development Scheme grant award.
	I attended the Parliamentary All Party Markets Group meeting on 20 November 2008, at which the FARMA were present.

Pesticides: Environment Protection

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if he will assess the effect on the landscape, with particular reference to  (a) railway embankments,  (b) waterway verges,  (c) public parks and  (d) other public areas of the changes to the availability of pesticides proposed in the draft EU Regulation on plant protection products; if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of manual weed control in such areas; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will undertake research to assess the effect on physical exercise levels of those who undertake gardening  (a) at home and  (b) on allotments as a result of any changes to patterns of gardening activity resulting from the proposed EU Regulation on placing of plant protection products on the market; if he will also undertake research to assess effects of such changes on people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The majority of pesticides are used in agriculture. Pesticides Safety Directorate's impact assessment, which was published in May 2008, therefore focused on the agronomic impacts of changes to pesticide availability arising from these proposals. It recognised that there could be wider implications, but did not analyse them in detail, as the agronomic assessment provided sufficient indication of the potential impacts to determine our response. On 5 November the European Parliament Environment Committee voted on a range of amendments that reduce the potential impact of the new regulation on the availability of pesticides.

Plastic Bags

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has a target for a reduction in the use of disposable bags.

Jane Kennedy: The Government's Waste Strategy 2007 set the objective of making the free single-use carrier bag a thing of the past. We are working with retailers who are making good progress towards reducing the numbers of bags they distribute, setting themselves ambitious individual targets.
	The powers we have introduced into the Climate Change Bill, enable the Government to require retailers to charge for single use carrier bags as a fallback should retailers fail to make significant reductions on a voluntary basis.

Plastics: Recycling

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authorities do not carry out doorstep collections of mixed plastics for recycling.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA does not collect data from English local authorities on whether they carry out kerbside collection of particular materials.

Plastics: Recycling

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the average number of types of plastic recycled by local authorities.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA collects data through WasteDataFlow from English local authorities on the tonnage of plastic sent for recycling, but does not differentiate between different types of plastics.

Pollution: EU Law

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to apply for a derogation from the EU Air Quality directive.

Huw Irranca-Davies: holding answer 10 November 2008
	The UK is working to meet ambient air quality limit values in the shortest time possible. The UK Air Quality Strategy that was published in 2007 provides full details, and can be found on the DEFRA website. Over the past 10 years the quality of our air has improved and apart from some hotspots alongside busy roads in major cities we are meeting our current objectives for all pollutants in 99 per cent. of the UK.
	In response to difficulties faced across Europe, the new ambient air quality directive (2008/50/EC), which replaces the earlier 1996 directive and three other related directives, provides in Article 22 for a notification procedure for member states to be able to seek authorisation from the EU Commission for additional time to meet the limit values for particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
	On PM10 limit values, in September the Government made the European Commission aware that, subject to public consultation, the UK intends to submit an Article 22 application for an exemption for those few parts of the UK where there have been breaches, including London, from the obligation to apply the limit value until 2011. Most other member states will also be submitting applications. We expect to consult early in 2009.
	On nitrogen dioxide, the limit values are extremely challenging and despite efforts to date, the UK, like most other member states, expects to report breaches beyond the 2010 compliance deadline. The problem is mainly concerned with existing pollution from road traffic both in London and in other major cities across the UK. Again, subject to public consultation, the Government expect to submit in 2010 an application to the Commission which would give the possibility of a further five years to meet the limit values for nitrogen dioxide.
	For both these pollutants, securing such postponement of attainment deadlines is subject to submission of detailed plans that will need to satisfy the Commission that the limit values can be achieved by the extended deadlines. We are determined to tackle remaining hotspots of pollution and to meet our EU obligations.

Pollution: Heathrow Airport

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he proposes to respond to the letter to him dated 23 October 2008 from solicitors Harrison Grant, acting on behalf of the 2M Group, on pollution levels around Heathrow.

Huw Irranca-Davies: My officials sent a response to solicitors Harrison Grant's letter on 14 November.

Recycling

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what records  (a) his Department and  (b) the Waste and Resources Action Programme keeps on which waste collection authorities have adopted compulsory recycling collection policies.

Jane Kennedy: None.

Recycling

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the amount of recycled waste of  (a) paper and  (b) plastics in the last period for which figures are available; what proposals he has for their disposal and in what timeframe; and how many energy-from-waste plants have been built in each of the last three years.

Jane Kennedy: In the UK, an estimated 8.6 million tonnes of paper and board and 545,000 tonnes of plastic were collected for recycling in 2007.
	The disposal of recycled materials is a matter for local authorities and their business partners.
	Two energy-from-waste plants have been constructed since 2006, at Allington, Kent and Lakeside, and Heathrow.

Recycling: Fees and Charges

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will meet representatives of the UK Youth Parliament to discuss charges to schools for recycling.

Jane Kennedy: I would welcome a meeting with the UK Youth Parliament.

Recycling: Hampshire

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much waste was recycled by each local authority in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: The following table shows the amount of municipal waste sent to be recycled, composted or reused by each authority in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in the financial years 2003-04 through to 2007-08.
	Some data for 2004-05 are unavailable due to authorities not providing complete data returns.
	
		
			  Municipal waste sent for recycling 
			  Tonne s 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Southampton city council 14,935  30,936 31,129 32,184 
			 Portsmouth city council 15,510 18,230 20,405 21,479 22,624 
			 Winchester city council 8,271 8,618 8,402 10,394 14,892 
			 Test Valley borough council 7,258  9,656 11,961 15,160 
			 Rushmoor borough council 5,439 6,250 6,927 7,385 8,455 
			 New Forest district council 16,941 16,559 17,017 19,085 20,996 
			 Havant borough council 8,153  9,672 11,676 12,495 
			 Hart district council 6,311 7,937 7,342 10,062 12,756 
			 Gosport borough council 4,036  6,278 6,412 6,909 
			 Fareham borough council 11,568  11,755 16,697 16,906 
			 Eastleigh borough council 11,877  14,015 15,315 15,987 
			 East Hampshire district council 12,320  12,569 13,450 14,713 
			 Basingstoke and Deane borough council 10,586 11,382 11,128 12,830 14,526 
			 Isle of Wight council 21,641  23,411 25,174 28,728 
			 Hampshire county council 209,024  120,082 134,102 135,241 
			  Source:  DEFRA municipal waste management survey and WasteDataFlow.

Recycling: Landfill

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what volume and proportion of household recycling was deposited in landfill in the latest year for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: Based on responses from local authorities in England to WasteDataFlow for the financial year 2007-08, the tonnage of municipal waste collected for recycling, but subsequently rejected to landfill was 90,000 tonnes. This represents 0.9 per cent. of municipal waste sent for recycling in that period.

Shellfish: Colchester

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1013W, on shellfish: Colchester, what the membership of the applicant group is; and on what dates his officials have sent reminders to the applicant group since May 2007.

Huw Irranca-Davies: holding answer 18 November 2008
	The membership of the applicant group consists of three producers and three producer/processors, of which Richard Haward of Richard Haward Oysters and Christopher Kerrison of the Colchester Oyster Fishery Ltd. are the main contact points.
	Officials last met the representatives of the applicant group to discuss the application to protect Colchester Oysters under the EU-protected food name (PFN) scheme as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) on 1 May 2007. Following that meeting a revised application highlighting the additional information required was passed to the applicants for their comments on 15 May 2007. Since then reminders have been sent by officials on the following dates:
	16 July 2007email
	5 September 2007telephone
	Mid-September 2007telephone
	12 October 2007email
	8 November 2007email
	10 January 2008telephone
	29 April 2008email
	8 October 2008email.

Tesco

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will discuss with Tesco the outcome of its recent negotiations with its supply chain companies.

Jane Kennedy: We do not discuss the specifics of negotiations between individual companies as they are for the market to determine within the constraints of competition law. The Department, at both official and ministerial level hold frequent discussions with different sectors of the industry on a range of issues that concern them, including the encouragement of long term sustainable relationships between suppliers and retailers.

Waste Disposal

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much and what percentage of  (a) retail and  (b) wholesale waste in the UK was re-used or recycled in each of the last three years.

Jane Kennedy: The most recent figures for retail and wholesale waste arisings and re-use/recycling in England are derived from the Environment Agency's National Waste Production Survey for 2002-03. The total estimated waste for this sector was 12.8 million tonnes and 6.6 million tonnes, or 52 per cent of this was re-used/recycled.

Waste Disposal: Fees and Charges

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Beckenham of 9 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 747-8W, on waste disposal: fees and charges, how the organisations which attended the launch were selected.

Jane Kennedy: Organisations known to have an interest in this area of policy were selected from DEFRA's Shared Stakeholders Database. Respondents to the Consultation on the Incentives for Recycling by Households in May 2007, were also invited.

Waste Disposal: Fees and Charges

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether the new schemes for charging for the collection of household waste will allow local authorities to charge Schedule 2 waste producers for the disposal of their waste;
	(2)  whether Schedule 2 waste producers will be liable for waste incentive charges where such schemes are in operation.

Jane Kennedy: Waste incentives pilots will apply to domestic premises, as defined in the Climate Change Bill. They could therefore include households which produce Schedule 2 waste. However, they will not apply to other 'Schedule 2 producers' such as schools and hospitals.

Waste Disposal: Fees and Charges

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  which local authorities responded to consultation on technical guidance on the pilots of charges for the collection of household waste;
	(2)  what organisations and individuals responded to the consultation on the guidance on the waste incentive pilots;
	(3)  if he will place in the Library copies of each individual response to his Department's most recent consultation on guidance on pilot waste incentive schemes for the collection of household rubbish.

Jane Kennedy: Six guidance documents have been drafted to provide information for local authorities on the issues they may wish to consider when designing and running a pilot incentive scheme. Comments were invited on draft guidance during the summer. In addition, the guidance documents were made available for comment on the DEFRA website. Details of the responses received will be published alongside the final guidance documents.
	We have consulted formally on one of the six pieces of draft guidancethe guidance on the kerbside recycling service which should be in place before a local authority may introduce a pilot scheme. This consultation closed on 14 November and responses will be published, and placed in the Library, in due course.

Waste Management

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what records  (a) his Department and  (b) the Waste and Resources Action Programme keeps of which waste collection authorities have adopted closed lid collection policies.

Jane Kennedy: None.

Waste Management

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what guidance  (a) his Department and  (b) the Waste and Resources Action Programme has produced on the provision of bins in public places;
	(2)  what guidance  (a) his Department,  (b) the regional improvement efficiency partnerships and  (c) the Waste and Resources Action Programme has provided to local authorities on provision of communal bins in urban areas.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA launched 'Recycle on the Go' on 2 June 2008 which aims to put accessible recycling bins in public places. A good practice guide and a voluntary code of practice will help those responsible for public places to make recycling easy and accessible and includes guidance on providing recycling opportunities along with provisions for the correct disposal of non-recyclable waste. The materials, which were developed in collaboration with the Waste and Resources Action programme and ENCAMS, are available on the DEFRA website or at the Recycle Now website:
	http://www.recyclenowpartners.org.uk/

Waste Management

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether private waste contractors will have voting rights on joint waste authorities.

Jane Kennedy: Private waste contractors will not have voting rights on joint waste authorities. Only elected members of constituent authorities of joint waste authorities will be eligible for voting rights.

Waste Management: Economic Situation

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the economic downturn on the recycling and waste industry.

Jane Kennedy: On 11 November DEFRA, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the Environment Agency issued a joint statement about the approach being taken to address the fall in prices for some recyclable materials. This made clear that our priorities are:
	to further promote waste minimisation;
	to maintain public confidence that recycling is worthwhile to ensure continuity of collection systems for recyclables;
	to focus on producing high quality marketable recyclables;
	to ensure any storage of recyclables doesn't undermine the environment or public health or the recyclability of those materials;
	where the traditional markets for recyclables have contracted, to encourage recovery and disposal options towards the top of the waste hierarchyi.e. landfill as a last resort; and
	to avoid actions which exacerbate the situation while markets stabilise.
	The Environment Agency, with Government support, has issued guidance on the circumstances in which it will allow extra storage of recyclable materials in the short term. WRAP will continue to monitor markets and prices and make information regularly available. The Government will keep the situation under review to assess what further action may be necessary.

Waste Management: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the household recycling rate was in the City of York Council area in 1996-97 and each year since then; what percentage of waste collected by City of York Council was sent to landfill in 1996-97 and each year since then; and how much City of York Council has paid in landfill tax in each year since the tax was introduced.

Jane Kennedy: The following table shows the percentage of household waste sent to be recycled or composted and the percentage sent to landfill by the City of York council up to the financial year 2007-08.
	These figures were reported to the Audit Commission by local authorities under the best value performance regime. Prior to 2000-01 there was no indicator for waste sent to landfill.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Household  recycling and composting rate  Household waste sent to land fill 
			 1996-97 5.30  
			 1997-98 5.24  
			 1998-99 5.85  
			 1999-2000 9.69  
			 2000-01 9.81 90.19 
			 2001-02 10.66 89.34 
			 2002-03 12.32 87.68 
			 2003-04 15.43 84.57 
			 2004-05 17.77 82.23 
			 2005-06 24.08 75.92 
			 2006-07 39.93 60.07 
			 2007-08 43.37 56.63 
			  Source: WasteDataFlow, best value performance indicators 
		
	
	Local authorities do not record separately the amount spent on landfill tax in the returns which councils submit to the Government.

Water Charges: Religious Buildings

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which sewerage companies charge for surface water drainage; and which of these exempt churches from these charges.

Jane Kennedy: All sewerage companies charge for surface water drainage. Charging schemes are approved by Ofwat, the independent economic regulator.

Water Charges: Religious Buildings

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has received on the proposed new water charges on places of worship and premises operated by voluntary groups; what assessment he has made of the effects of these new changes on such groups; and what discussions he has had with these groups on the effects of the proposed new changes.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has received a range of representations on water charges for places of worship and other voluntary organisations.
	Ofwat, the independent economic regulator of the water industry, is responsible for approving water companies' charging schemes. Where a company makes a change to the way it charges for water or sewerage services, Ofwat challenges the company's proposals to make sure charges are not unduly preferential to one customer group over another. Groups of customers are defined by the costs they are likely to impose and are independent of the financial or charitable status of individual non-household customers.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment (Hilary Benn) has not held any discussions with places of worship or voluntary groups on the effects of the proposed changes to water charges.

Water: Meters

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to encourage the introduction of smart water meters.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 19 November 2008
	An independent review of charging and metering for water and sewerage services is currently under way. It will look in particular at social, economic and environmental concerns, including the costs and benefits of metering and smart metering. The interim conclusions are expected in spring 2009.

White Fish: Conservation

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if he will review the decision not to increase the minimum landing size of bass; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what consideration he has given to the introduction of a system of carcass tagging for bass;
	(3)  whether he intends implementing further measures to develop the recreational bass fishery.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea in 2004, and subsequent advice to DEFRA from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, suggests that the bass stock is fished sustainably. In addition to being a prime sports fish for the sea angling sector, bass is a particularly important stock for the inshore fishing fleet. Given the pressures faced by this fleet and the relatively healthy state of the stock, I have no plans to increase the minimum landing size of bass. For the same reasons, I currently have no plans to introduce a system of carcass tagging as a means of controlling exploitation of the bass stock.
	However, we announced last year a package of new measures that will provide increased protection for stocks of bass and more widely benefits for anglers. This includes a review of inshore netting restrictions and of 30 restricted areas around the English coast for the protection of juvenile bass. This may result in new protected areas, increased restrictions or extensions to current areas around the coast. We will consult on any proposals relating to these restricted areas in the new year. In addition, we are also funding research exploring the use of restricted areas to benefit recreational bass anglers.
	Alongside this work, we are continuing to monitor the state of the bass stock and I do not rule out returning to an increase in the minimum landing size of bass once the effectiveness of these new measures has been assessed.

White Fish: Conservation

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in relation to Article 17 of Council Regulation 2371/2002, if he will institute measures governing pair-trawling for bass within 12 nautical miles applicable to foreign vessels fishing with grandfather rights.

Huw Irranca-Davies: In 2004 we banned pelagic pair trawling for bass by UK vessels within 12 miles of the south-west coast of England (within the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) area VIIe) as this fishery was shown to have relatively high levels of cetacean by-catch. The UK asked that the ban on pelagic pair trawling for bass be extended (under Article 9 of Council Regulation EC No 2371/2002) to the vessels of other member states, who are currently permitted to fish between six and 12 miles off the south-west English coast. However, as this request was rejected by the European Commission, we could only take unilateral action in relation to our own vessels out to 12 miles.
	The UK report on 2006-07 observed cetacean by-catch levels, as required by Council Regulation (EC) 812/2004, has been submitted to the European Commission, and is available on our website
	www.defra.gov.uk.
	It is important for us to consider reports provided by those member states which have vessels permitted to fish in our waters in order to understand the overall level of cetacean bycatch. Once we have done this we will consider whether to make further representations to the Commission.
	Scientific advice from ICES in 2004, and subsequent advice to DEFRA from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), suggests that the bass stock is fished sustainably. Given this assessment, I currently have no plans to institute any measures governing pair trawling for bass for the purposes of stock conservation.

Wood: Smuggling

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many seizures of illegal timber imports have been made in each year since 1997.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Under current UK law it is not illegal to import timber which was illegally felled, processed or transported in another country provided the actual importation is legal. The UK Government cannot institute legal proceedings in the UK relating to a breach or breaches of sovereign laws in another country, with one exception.
	The exception is CITESthe Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. As a CITES signatory, the UK Government have the legal powers to seize timber or timber products containing a CITESlisted species imported without the correct CITES paperwork. Information on any such seizures is not held by core-DEFRA and should be obtained from HMRC as the relevant central Government Department.

JUSTICE

Appeals Service: Standards

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what national targets have been set for the Appeals Service; and what the performance of the relevant offices in South Devon was against those targets in 2007-08.

Bridget Prentice: The social security and child support performance data is collected on a Tribunals Service regional only basis with South Devon falling under the Wales and South Western Region. Data is not recorded by venue and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	In 2007-08, the following national targets, and the Wales and South Western Region performance against the target, are as follows:
	75 per cent. of hearings to take place within 14 weeks of receipt; 'overall performance 88 per cent.'
	85 per cent. of rehearings returned from the Social Security Commissioner following the appeal against the original tribunal to be heard within eight weeks; 'overall performance 85 per cent.'
	10 per cent. average of 'live load' that will be over 20 weeks; 'overall average 8 per cent.'

Approved Premises

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many child sex offenders are currently managed in one of the 101 probation approved premises.

David Hanson: The number of child sex offenders accommodated in the 101 approved premises in England and Wales will vary at any one time. Statistical information about the type of offences committed by offenders residing in approved premises at any one time is not collected centrally, although the offenders' assessed level of risk of harm at the point of admission is.
	Approved premises provide for enhanced and effective supervision of certain offenders which would be much more difficult to achieve if such offenders were dispersed into less suitable accommodation in the community.

Approved Premises

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many classified dangerous or very dangerous offenders are currently managed in one of the 101 probation approved premises.

David Hanson: The terms dangerous or very dangerous are not designated terms for the description of offenders admitted to and supervised in approved premises. At the end of September 2008, 66 AP residents (3.6 per cent.) were assessed as presenting a very high risk of serious harm and 1,348 (73.5 per cent.) were assessed as presenting a high risk of serious harm.

Approved Premises

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many child sex offenders have been managed in one of the 101 probation-approved premises in each of the last three years.

David Hanson: The number of child sex offenders accommodated in approved premises will vary at any one time. Statistical information about the type of offences committed by offenders residing in approved premises at any one time is not collected centrally, although offenders' assessed level of risk of harm at the point of admission is.
	Approved premises provide for enhanced and effective supervision of certain offenders which would be much more difficult to achieve if such offenders were dispersed into less suitable accommodation in the community.

Approved Premises

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many child sex offenders living in approved premises committed further sex offences whilst a resident in each of the last three years.

David Hanson: The National Offender Management Service collects data about serious further offences committed by offenders who are under any form of supervision by the Probation Service. The available data covers all AP residents whose index offence was of a sexual nature but does not specify whether that index offence was a sexual offence against a child. Figures for the number of sex offenders convicted of a serious further offence of a sexual nature while residing in an approved premises are as follows:
	
		
			   Number of sex offenders convicted 
			 2006-07 5 
			 2007-08 (1)6 
			 2008-09 (2)1 
			 (1 )With one offender charged with an offence of a sexual nature and still awaiting trial. (2 )As of 22 November 2008.

Approved Premises

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the minimum level of training is that a probation area requires of staff working in approved premises.

David Hanson: The minimum level of training for probation area staff working in approved premises will vary according to grade, role, responsibility, and also from area to area. Probation officers are trained to degree level and probation support officers to NVQ or equivalent level.
	All staff working in approved premises are required to be competent for their duties, and the majority of staff will therefore be trained in some or all of the following subjects: risk of harm assessment; pro-social modelling; motivational interviewing; 'living here moving on' (LiHMO); health, safety (including fire training) and first aid; mental health issues; suicide and self- harm prevention; diversity and equality; drug and alcohol awareness; dealing with violence and aggression (including physical 'breakaway' techniques); working with sex offenders; domestic violence awareness; group work; enhanced regimes; teamworking; keyworking; and management and leadership.

Approved Premises

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many deaths of residents in approved premises have been recorded in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: The number of residents of approved premises who have died in each year for the last five years are:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2003 11 
			 2004 20 
			 2005 17 
			 2006 10 
			 2006-07 13 
			 2007-08 17 
		
	
	Up to 2006, the figures were collated by calendar year; since April 2006 they have been collated on a financial year basis instead.

Approved Premises

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many approved premises have not introduced double working night levels.

David Hanson: Double waking night cover was introduced in approved premises in 2006. Eight out of 101 APs are not currently operating double waking night cover. These eight operate a system of single waking night cover with another member of staff sleeping on the premises, who may be called to duty, should the need arise.
	Double waking night cover is the expected norm, although there are justifiable exceptions. We will shortly be issuing new instructions that will allow alternative arrangements to be used, provided they have been risk-assessed, provide equivalent levels of staff safety and public protection and have involved consultation with local staff representatives, directors of offender management and ministers.

Approved Premises

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether a national record is kept of violent incidents against staff working in approved premises.

David Hanson: Incidents of violence and abusive behaviour against probation staff are recorded locally but not collated nationally. However, we are considering introducing a national reporting requirement in conjunction with the safer custody initiative.

Cemeteries

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many of the recommendations made by the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee in its Eighth Report of Session 2000-01, HC 91, on cemeteries, have been implemented; and what progress has been made on implementing the other recommendations accepted by the Government.

Bridget Prentice: The Government Response (Cm 5281) made clear that the great majority of the Select Committee's 41 recommendations had or would be implemented. In particular, an advisory stakeholder group has been established, and we have published the results of a survey of burial grounds, the Government response to public consultation on burial law reform, and guidance for burial ground managers. I intend to publish guidance on the management of memorial safety shortly and expect to make an announcement early next year about the provision and maintenance of burial grounds and proposals for amendments to existing burial legislation. I will write to my hon. Friend with details of the progress made on each recommendation.

Christmas

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: The first year that a Ministry of Justice Christmas card was produced was 2007 and 6,000 cards were ordered at a cost of 34p each, totalling 2,040. These cards were produced internally and were not centrally funded. Each business area covered the costs of the cards they ordered from their stationery budgets.
	The order for cards for 2008 has not yet commenced.
	I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 27 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 742-43W, to the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Prisk), which provides information on the spend on Christmas functions in 2007-08.
	The cost of trees and decorations for the central London HQ buildings for 2007 is as follows:
	Trees460.40 + VAT
	Decorations325.90 + VAT
	An order has not yet been placed for 2008 and wherever possible, last year's decorations will be reused.
	The information for agencies can be gathered only at a disproportionate cost, as each individual building would order their own trees and decorations.

Courts: Fees and Charges

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the likely cost to local authorities resulting from  (a) the increase in public law family fees and  (b) making those changes retrospective over the next two years.

Bridget Prentice: Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) calculated the cost of public law family proceedings, was 40 million. The increased fees were set on this basis, and an additional 40 million was built into the local authority settlement for England and Wales. This figure applies to all three years of the settlement and will form part of the baseline for future spending reviews. It is likely to exceed the actual expenditure on court fees for local authorities as it assumes that the maximum fee is payable in each case. It does not allow for any savings arising from early resolution or fast track procedures recently introduced under the revised Public Law Outline.
	Fees have not been charged retrospectively.

Departmental Consultants

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many external consultants work for his Department.

Maria Eagle: In the financial year 2007-08, the Ministry of Justice let contracts for consultancy services with 244 suppliers. The number of individual consultants involved in the delivery of those contracts is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental ICT

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his Department's total IT budget was in the last year.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice's IT expenditure in 2007-08 was 660 million. This includes the cost of running the live operational services across the Ministry, the costs of new IT developments and the transition costs to new IT suppliers for the former Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Departmental ICT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what IT projects  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies is undertaking; and what the most recent estimate of (i) the cost and (ii) the completion date of each is.

Maria Eagle: Funding plans for 2009-10 and 2010-11 have not yet been agreed. These will be subject to a further budget review in December 2008, as part of the Ministry's wider review of all areas of expenditure, including IT projects.

Departmental Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice has no staff solely responsible for branding activity in the Department this year. It is not possible to separate out branding activity from other communications and marketing duties undertaken by staff.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years.

Jack Straw: In each of the last three years, the Ministry of Justice and the former Department for Constitutional Affairs has employed the services of two special advisers. Each special adviser has the support of one member of administrative grade staff. The cost of these two members of staff was 64,923 in 2005-06; 63,866 in 2006-07; and 45,308 in 2007-08.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in his Department has been in the last 12 months.

Jack Straw: There is no provision for Government cars for special advisers in the Ministry of Justice. There has therefore been no cost to the Department.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was spent on entertainment by his Department in 2007-08; and how much of that sum is accounted for by  (a) food,  (b) alcohol,  (c) staff and  (d) accommodation.

Maria Eagle: This information could be provided across the Ministry only at disproportionate cost.
	All expenditure on entertainment should be incurred in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety that are based on the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Pensions

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many civil servants working in his Department and its agencies have pensions with a cash equivalent transfer value of over 1 million.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice has information in respect of cash equivalent transfer values (CETVs) for civil servants that are Board members only. These are disclosed in the Remuneration Report in the Annual Ministry of Justice Resource Accounts (of which a copy for the financial year 2007-08 can be found in the Library of the House and on the Ministry of Justice website). There are seven Board Members with a cash equivalent transfer value of over 1 million.
	The Department does not hold information on CETVs for all its civil servants. This information can be obtained only by writing to the individual's Authorised Pension Administration Centre and obtaining this would involve disproportionate cost.

Driving Offences: Alcoholic Drinks

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people imprisoned on conviction for a drink-driving offence have been released because the blood taken to assess the blood-alcohol level was taken by a nurse rather than a police officer in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Information is not held centrally on the number of drivers imprisoned for driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs who elect to challenge the court's decision and the outcome of the challenge.

Entry Clearances: Pakistan

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on what date the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal notified the Home Department of the decision of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in the case of Mrs E.K., wife of Mr S.Z. of Aylesbury and the Entry Clearance Officer, Islamabad (reference OA 52562/2007).

Bridget Prentice: Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT) records show that the original appeal decision was heard on 13 May 2008. The tribunal sent the decision to UK Border Agency on 22 May 2008.
	A further hearing by AIT to reconsider the initial decision was held on 24 July 2008. A decision was sent to UK Border Agency on 1 October 2008.

HM Courts Service: Finance

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made 
	(1)  of the likely effect of reductions in the budget of Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) on  (a) the number of courts,  (b) the number of courts staff,  (c) the number of consultants,  (d) the number of agency staff and  (e) the level of service to the public provided by HMCS in each of the years of the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review;
	(2)  of the effect on the budget of HM Courts Service of  (a) recent increases in family court fees,  (b) recent reductions in the number of tax prosecutions and  (c) the Service's modernising money programme.

Jack Straw: It has been clear since the publication of MOJ's CSR07 settlement that the Department and its constituent bodies, including HMCS, would have to reduce previously planned budgets. The efficiency savings plan for MOJ for 2008-09 is underway and HMCS is committed to delivering their contribution to the MOJ savings plan.
	We are developing over the next few months the performance and efficiency plan for MOJ and its constituent bodies, including HMCS, to cover 2009-10 and 2010-11. When that plan is agreed for 2009-10 and 2010-11, we will be in a position to inform Parliament of the impact on MOJ, including HMCS.
	The judiciary are engaged in discussion of HMCS resources under the terms of the HMCS framework and the concordat between the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice.
	We expect there to be a reduction in headcount in HMCS parts of MOJ but we expect a large part of that to come from reductions in agency staff and contractors. Exact numbers will be available only once we have completed our planning exercise. We have started discussions with the trade unions on this and will continue to involve them as our plans develop.
	We will aim better to match courts work to the changing pattern of demand and do not have any current plans to close courts.
	The HMCS budget includes an estimate of 28 million as additional income expected as a result of the increases in family court fees on 1 May 2008.
	HMRC have changed the focus of their enforcement activity and are targeting higher value cases. This has resulted in a reduction in the expected volume of claims from that source. It is not possible to quantify the exact impact this will have on HMCS at this stage.
	The Modernising Money Handling project is currently piloting its processes within six court areas. Benefits targeted include reduced headcount for processing payments, economies of scale arising from implementing national supply agreements and further reductions in cash collection costs. The financial impact of these benefits will be measured once the pilots are completed.

Legal Systems: Islam

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead of 23 October 2008,  Official Report, column 562W, on matrimonial proceedings: religion, what comparative research his Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the role of Sharia councils in (i) the UK and (ii) other jurisdictions;
	(2)  what research his Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the role of female Muslim scholars in the process of Islamic religious arbitration, in respect of those tribunals which may act as arbitrators within the meaning of the Arbitration Act 1996;
	(3)  pursuant to the answer of 23 October 2008,  Official Report, column 562W, on matrimonial proceedings: religion, how many draft consent orders embodying the terms of an agreement reached by the use of a Sharia council have  (a) been enforced within the meaning of the Arbitration Act 1996 and  (b) been held not to comply with English legal tenets.

Jack Straw: In the past year the Ministry of Justice has received a number of requests for information and details of policy relating to Sharia law and Sharia councils and their position on family issues. Earlier this year this Department conducted an initial review of the research into Sharia councils in England and Wales and we intend to commission further research in the form of a scoping study. We hope that the scoping study will assess the feasibility of identifying Sharia councils, their members and users; explore the feasibility of obtaining data to establish the number, scope and clientele of Sharia councils in relation to Sharia family law and determine how Sharia councils, members and users can best be engaged in future research.
	Arbitration is not a system of dispute resolution that may be used in family cases. Therefore no draft consent orders embodying the terms of an agreement reached by the use of a Sharia council have been enforced within the meaning of the Arbitration Act 1996 in matrimonial proceedings.
	The issue of enforcement of an arbitrated decision only arises in civil disputes. At present there is no mechanism in civil proceedings to record how many draft consent orders embodying the terms of an agreement reached by the use of a Sharia council have been enforced within the meaning of the Arbitration Act 1996 or those that have been held not to comply with English legal tenets. Judges in England and Wales will only know that the consent order they are scrutinising comes from a Sharia council if this is made known to them by the parties.

National Offender Management Service: Finance

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his estimate is of the change to the budget of the National Offenders Management Service headquarters under the Ministry of Justice Financial Plan for the Comprehensive Spending Review for 2008-11.

Jack Straw: Under the agreement reached in the last comprehensive spending review, the Ministry of Justice is seeking efficiency savings over the next three years as set out in the Department's annual report for 2007-08.
	We are currently working up the savings from the budget that can be achieved from the restructure of the National Offender Management Service's headquarters structures (both nationally and regionally). Our aim is to create a lean and focused agency headquarters which will enable offender management to be delivered more effectively and will strengthen and streamline commissioning to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The detail of the final headquarters structure has yet to be determined but will focus on reducing overheads, removing duplication and increasing efficiency in order to prioritise frontline services for offenders both in the community and in custody.

Operation Safeguard

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans there are to review the operation of Operation Safeguard.

Jack Straw: A review of Operation Safeguard was commissioned by the National Offender Management Service in February 2008. A further review of the operating procedures laid out in Prison Service Instruction 30/2006 Operation Safeguard was commissioned in September 2008.

Operation Safeguard

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how inappropriate prisoners as identified by Prison Service Instruction (PSI 30/2006) and Integrated Drug Treatment Systems Continuity of Care guidance have been identified so as to ensure that they are not in police cells overnight since the reactivation of Operation Safeguard in January 2007.

Jack Straw: All prisoners are risk assessed before being held in police cells under Operation Safeguard. This risk assessment takes place against the criteria laid out in Prison Service Instruction (PSI 30/2006) Operation Safeguard.
	Prisoners are screened on leaving prison reception, at court and on reception to police custody.

Operation Safeguard

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many inappropriate prisoners as identified by Prison Service Instruction (PSI 30/2006) and the Integrated Drug Treatment Systems Continuity of Care guidance have been held in police cells overnight since the reactivation of Operation Safeguard in January 2007.

Jack Straw: All prisoners are risk assessed following the criteria laid out in Prison Service Instruction 30/2006 Operation Safeguard before being held in police cells under Operation Safeguard.
	Every effort is made to avoid the use of police cells for various categories of prisoners and if a prisoner is deemed unsuitable to be held in police cells, they will be returned to an appropriate local prison.
	Information on the number of prisoners who have been deemed unsuitable to be held in police cells is not recorded centrally.

Performance Appraisal

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff in his Department did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade in their annual report in the latest reporting year for which figures are available.

Michael Wills: In the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) for the reporting year 2007-08 the number of staff who did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade (or equivalent marking) is detailed as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 Former DCA, including HMCS, OPG, Tribunals Service, Wales Office, Scottish Office, and the MOJ headquarters 95 
			 Prison Service and the former Prison Service headquarters 77 
			 Former Home Office staff now within the MOJ 3

Plain English

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many documents produced by his Department have been submitted to the Plain English Campaign for approval for Crystal Mark status in each year since 2005; and how many documents achieved such status in each year.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many documents produced by his Department and its predecessor were submitted to the Plain English Campaign for approval for Crystal Mark status in each year since 2005; and how many documents achieved such status in each year.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice does submit documents to the Plain English Campaign for Crystal Mark accreditation and we apply Plain English principles and best practice to all our documents. However the information requested is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Police Custody

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1240W, on police custody, how many prisoners have been held in police cells overnight in each month since the reactivation of Operation Safeguard in January 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: It is not possible to ascertain how many individual prisoners were held under Operation Safeguard since it was reactivated in January 2007. The following table covers the period from January 2007 up to the night of 31 October 2008 and gives the aggregate total of the number of prisoner nights in which a police cell was used during each month shown.
	
		
			  The totals of Safeguard usage broken down by month since January 2007 to 31 October 2008 
			   Number 
			  2007  
			 January 1,955 
			 February 1,286 
			 March 6,693 
			 April 4,542 
			 May 9777 
			 June 10,195 
			 July 810 
			 August 4,950 
			 September 7,840 
			 October 9,565 
			 November 7,693 
			 December 1,960 
			   
			  2008  
			 January 1,766 
			 February 9,720 
			 March 2,004 
			 April 290 
			 May 120 
			 June 630 
			 July 2,182 
			 August 1,793 
			 September 211 
			 October 1

Prisoners: Employment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with which businesses HMP Coldingley has contracts for work for prisoners; and what the  (a) value of,  (b) nature of work specified under and  (c) payment to prisoners specified under each contract is.

David Hanson: A number of external customers have placed business with HM Prison Coldingley since April 2008: These are summarised in the following table. Contracts are restrictedcommercial, and to release the names of customers may prejudice our continued and future trading relationship. The work areas also undertake production for the internal market providing employment for prisoners and helping to reduce the cost of imprisonment.
	Prison Service Order 4460, a copy of which has been placed in the House Library, sets out minimum rates of pay for prisoners who participate in purposeful activity. The order requires governors and directors of contracted prisons to devise local pay schemes that reflect regime priorities of their establishment.
	In addition prisoners are employed in a number of other activities, including information and communication technology, kitchen, cleaning (including accredited training), learning and skills, physical education, land-based activities, recycling and other regime places that provide opportunities to learn new skills and accredited learning. The prison also has a partnership agreement with the Howard League who run a small design shop in the prison. We are not aware of the contract details this workshop has with customers.
	
		
			  HMP Coldingley external/commercial sales for the period 1 April 2008 to 18 November 2008( 1) 
			  Nature of work  Number of external customers  Approx. external sales value (000) 
			 Laundry services 4 201 
			 Sign manufacture 26 69 
			 Engineering 2 4 
			 (1) As recorded on the Prison Service Phoenix Finance system.

Prisoners: Ex-servicemen

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many ex-service personnel there were in prison who had  (a) post-combat stress,  (b) alcoholism and  (c) substance abuse problems in (i) 2001, (ii) 2002, (iii) 2003, (iv) 2004, (v) 2005, (vi) 2006 and (vii) 2007; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The information requested is not available. Although data from nationally representative surveys of some 2,000 sentenced prisoners near release conducted in 2001, 2003 and 2004 showed the proportion of prisoners who had previously served in the armed forces in those years as 6 per cent., 4 per cent., and 5 per cent. respectively, no research was done on the particular problems raised in the question.
	We are currently working with the Ministry of Defence to help better identify the number of veterans currently serving prison sentences. Part of the process is likely to involve surveying a proportion of the prison population.

Prisoners: Females

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what offences for women from Wales who were held in prison on 1 April  (a) 2008,  (b) 2007,  (c) 2006,  (d) 2005 and  (e) 2004 were imprisoned.

David Hanson: The following table shows the number of women who were tried in courts in Wales and detained in prison establishments in England and Wales under custodial sentence as at 31 March each year 2004-08 by offence group.
	
		
			   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 All 145 143 135 137 159 
			 Violence against the person 43 37 42 48 48 
			 Sexual offences 3 2 3 4 3 
			 Robbery 20 10 7 12 14 
			 Burglary 11 13 15 11 18 
			 Theft and handling 20 14 20 14 21 
			 Fraud and forgery 3 9 1 3 3 
			 Drug offences 29 43 26 25 30 
			 Motoring offences 2 7 8 2 2 
			 Other offences 14 7 12 16 20 
			 Offence not recorded 1 0 1 2 1 
		
	
	These figures are based on the court from which the prisoner was received.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Prisoners: Females

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many of the women from Wales who were held in prison on 1 April  (a) 2008,  (b) 2007,  (c) 2006,  (d) 2005 and  (e) 2004 were held on remand.

David Hanson: The following table shows the number of women prisoners held on remand by a court in Wales at 31 March in each year from 2004 to 2008.
	
		
			  Females as at 31 March  Number 
			 2004 49 
			 2005 39 
			 2006 34 
			 2007 39 
			 2008 37 
		
	
	These figures are based on the court from which the prisoner was received.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Prisoners: Foreigners

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many foreign prisoners were held at  (a) HMP Peterborough,  (b) HMP Whitemoor and  (c) HMP Littlehey on 31 October (i) 2006, (ii) 2007 and (iii) 2008; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Information on the number of foreign national prisoners in each prison establishment in England and Wales is published quarterly on the Ministry of Justice website at
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/populationincustody.htm.
	The following table shows the number of foreign national prisoners held in the three requested establishments as at 30 September in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
	
		
			   September 2006  September 2007  September 2008 
			 Peterborough 119 176 161 
			 Whitemoor 65 66 66 
			 Littlehey 106 100 119 
		
	
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Prisoners: Mentally Ill

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent estimate he has made of the number of prisoners with severe psychiatric disorders.

Phil Hope: I have been asked to reply.
	No recent assessment has been made. In 1997, the Office for National Statistics survey indicated that as many as 58 per cent. of male and 75 per cent. of female remand prisoners, and 39 per cent. of male and 62 per cent. of female sentenced prisoners met criteria for a diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression. Rates of psychotic illness were also higher than in the general population.

Prisoners: Mothers

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many mothers held in prison had their babies with them on 1 April  (a) 2008,  (b) 2007,  (c) 2006,  (d) 2005 and  (e) 2004.

David Hanson: The numbers of mothers held in prison who had their babies with them from 1 April 2004 to 1 April 2008, are as follows:
	
		
			  As at 1 April:  Number 
			 2008 50 
			 2007 48 
			 2006 49 
			 2005 45 
			 2004 46 
		
	
	Where a custodial sentence has been given, specific provision is made for those women who are pregnant or have babies with them in prison.

Prisoners: Voting Rights

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what steps he plans to take to give effect in UK law to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Kirit  v. the UK;
	(2)  when he plans to publish the results of his Department's March 2007 consultation on the voting rights of sentenced prisoners;
	(3)  what recent assessments his Department has carried out on the effect of extending the franchise to sentenced prisoners;
	(4)  what consultations his Department has undertaken with prison governors on the effect of extending the franchise to sentenced prisoners;
	(5)  what information his Department has collected for comparative purposes on the voting rights of convicted prisoners in other states party to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Michael Wills: I have been advised that in the first question the hon. Gentleman is referring to the European Court of Human Rights' judgment in the case of Hirst  v. UK, rather than Kirit  v. UK as the question has been typed.
	In response to that judgment, we announced we would undertake a two-stage public consultation, the first stage of which concluded in March 2007. The Government have been studying its findings carefully and are mindful of the implications that any course of action may have with reference to the rights and responsibilities of all its citizens. This is a sensitive and complex issue, involving not only human rights considerations with regard to offenders, but also the victims of crime and public confidence in the criminal justice system overall.
	The Government intend to publish the results of the first stage of the consultation on prisoners' voting rights in tandem with the launching of the second stage consultation paper. I can confirm that the Government remain committed to carrying out this second, more detailed public consultation, to which people holding all shades of opinion, including those who work with offenders on a professional basis, are invited to respond. Following the closure of this stage, the Government will make their final recommendations that will be reflected in legislation.
	As part of consideration as to the options bringing into effect the judgment there has been consideration of the effect of extending the franchise to sentenced prisoners. This will form part of the second stage consultation paper.
	Similarly in looking to understand the impact of implementing the judgment on the Prison Service, operational aspects of prisoner enfranchisement have been the subject of discussions with the Prison Service and the Prison Governors' Association responded to the first stage consultation paper. We will ensure that the Prison Governors' Association will be engaged, along with other relevant bodies, when the second stage consultation paper is launched.
	In respect of comparative studies of policies within states party to the ECHR, the first stage consultation paper acknowledged that out of the 41 Council of Europe countries, 18 states allow prisoners to vote without any restriction whereas 13, including the UK, do not. Among the remainder, enfranchisement of prisoners varies depending the nature of offence committed by, or length of the sentence imposed on, prisoners, while in some countries the decision as to whether an individual prisoner is permitted to vote remains at the discretion of the sentencing court. Whatever policy is pursued by other states, Government have a duty to select the right course for the United Kingdom.

Prisoners: Voting Rights

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Human Rights Act 1998 to provide for a universal franchise.

Michael Wills: The Human Rights Act 1998 contains the right (set out in Article 3 of the First Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights) to free elections by secret ballot to ensure the free expression of the people in the choice of the legislature. The Government have no plans to amend the Act in respect of free elections.

Prisons: Complaints

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many complaints by prison officers have been made against fellow officers on the grounds of  (a) sexual discrimination,  (b) sexual harassment,  (c) homophobic behaviour and  (d) racial discrimination in each of the last 10 years; what proportion of these complaints were upheld; what proportion of those making such complaints received compensation payments; and how much each received.

Shahid Malik: According to the information held centrally by the National Offender Management Service, in the period from 1 January 2005 to 31 October 2008, at least 82 formal investigations were commissioned into allegations of a sexual or sexist nature and at least 151 formal investigations were commissioned into allegations of a racial or racist nature. Over that same period, there were at least 34 proven cases of sexual harassment and at least 79 proven cases of racial harassment.
	However, the information available centrally is not complete. It does not distinguish between types of sexual, sexist, racial or racist behaviour, nor identify homophobic behaviour. Nor does the available information identify how many of these cases resulted from complaints by prison officers against other prison officers.
	In order to provide the complete and specific information requested and for the period before 2005, it would be necessary to carry out comprehensive data gathering and analysis across the prison estate. This would incur disproportionate cost through contacting and scrutinising case files with each of the 138 prisons across the Service.
	Prison Service Order 8460 (Conduct and Discipline) does not provide a facility for compensation awards to be made to complainants whose allegations have been substantiated as a result of internal disciplinary proceedings.

Prisons: Methadone

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the prescribing of methadone in prisons in England and Wales.

David Hanson: Methadone is one of a number of drugs licensed for the clinical management of substance misuse. The prescribing of methadone in prisons in England is, as with any treatment intervention in NHS, based on individual clinical need following an assessment by a registered health care practitioner.
	Guidance on the treatment of drug misuse in the UK is provided by the 2007 Department of Health Clinical Guidelines. They are based on current evidence and professional consensus on how to provide drug treatment for the majority of patients, in most instances. The guidelines have a specific chapter which includes additional advice specific to criminal justice setting, including prisons
	The policy for all Welsh prisons and those not currently part of the Integrated Drug Treatment System, is set out in Prison Service Order 3550 Clinical Services for Substance Misusers. For prisons funded as part of the prisons Integrated Drug Treatment System, policy is set out in the Department of Health guidance Clinical management of drug dependence in the adult prison setting.

Prisons: Overcrowding

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps the Government is taking to reduce prison overcrowding; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The prison capacity programme has delivered over 4,000 new prison places since 2007 and will provide nearly 200 further places before the end of the year. It is anticipated this programme will also deliver over 2,000 further places in 2009.
	The programme will provide an additional 20,000 prison places and an increased overall capacity to just over 96,000 by 2014.

Probation: Manpower

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many job reductions there will be from natural wastage in the Probation Service under his Department's Financial Plan for the Comprehensive Spending Review for 2008 to 2011.

Jack Straw: Under the agreement reached in the last comprehensive spending review, the Ministry of Justice is seeking efficiency savings over the next three years as set out in the Department's annual report for 2007-08.
	We will be working with the 42 probation areas and trusts, the employers of staff in the National Probation Service (NPS), to achieve the necessary efficiency savings. Our aim is to create a front line focused NPS that will enable offender management in the community to be delivered more efficiently and effectively by reducing overheads, duplications of work and seeking economies of scale. Ultimately, the size and scope of any staffing reductions will rest with the 42 areas and trusts who manage probation business at the local level.

Racial Harassment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in the last 12 months.

Michael Wills: In the Ministry of Justice there have been six complaints brought on the grounds of race in the 12 months ending July 2008. Of those, four cited actual racial abuse, and of those, two were upheld.
	For NOMS and OCJR, no complaints of racial abuse have been recorded.
	The prison service does not hold the information centrally in the format requested. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Rape: Sentencing

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average sentence handed down by courts in England and Wales for convictions for rape was in each of the last three years.

Maria Eagle: The requested information is contained in the following tables.
	2006 is the latest year for which annually published statistics are available. Data for 2007 will be published on 27 November.
	
		
			  Number of persons sentenced( 1)  by result and average length of immediate custodial sentence( 2)  for offences of rape, all courts, England and Wales, 2004-06 
			  Number of persons and average length of sentence (months) 
			 Result 
			  Offence description  Year  Total number sentenced  Absolute discharge  Conditional discharge  Fine  Community sentence  Fully suspended sentence  Immediate custody  Otherwise dealt with 
			 Rape(4)  742 2 2  16  713 9 
			 Rape of a female 2004 693 1 2  8  673 9 
			 Rape of a male  49 1   8  40  
			   
			 Rape(4)  794  1 1 32 2 746 12 
			 Rape of a female 2005 726  1 1 21 2 690 11 
			 Rape of a male  6811  56 1 
			   
			 Rape(4)  862 1 1  40  803 17 
			 Rape of a female 2006 787 1 1  25  746 14 
			 Rape of a male  7515  57 3 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of persons and average length of sentence (months) 
			  Offence description  Average custodial sentence length( 2)  Indeterminate sentence( 3) 
			 Rape(4) 85.1  
			 Rape of a female 85.2  
			 Rape of a male 82.5  
			
			 Rape(4) 81.8 15 
			 Rape of a female 82.5 13 
			 Rape of a male 74.0 2 
			
			 Rape(4) 81.2 131 
			 Rape of a female 82.0 120 
			 Rape of a male 68.0 11 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Months. Excludes life and indeterminate sentences. (3) Sentences of imprisonment for public protection introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 on 4 April 2005. (4) Includes rape of a male and a female.  Notes: 1. Persons receiving an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for public protection for a serious offence would previously have received a lengthy determinate sentence that would have been included in the calculation of average custodial sentence length. These longer sentences are now effectively excluded from the calculation. This may account for the observed decrease in average custodial sentence lengths since 2004-05. 2. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source: OMS Analytical Services

Rape: Sentencing

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effectiveness as a deterrent of sentences handed down by courts in England and Wales for convictions relating to rape.

Maria Eagle: No specific research has been done into the deterrent effect of sentences imposed for rape. For certain types of crime such as rape custody will almost always represent the most appropriate sentencing option as a means of punishment and as a means of protecting the public.

Reoffenders

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what information his Department holds on the reconviction rates of prisoners released from each prison in England and Wales in the last 10 years.

Jack Straw: At present, data are not available for the reconviction rates of prisoners released from each prison in England and Wales in the last 10 years. The Ministry of Justice is currently undertaking a programme of work to look at how best to produce these data (accounting for the different types of prisons and movement of offenders between prisons). This work should be completed by the end of the financial year 2008-09.
	However, information on the rate of reoffending for custodial prisoners is available covering 2000 to 2006, as shown in the following table. The current data demonstrate that the adult reoffending rate for offenders with previous custodial sentences has fallen since 2000 by 15 per cent.
	
		
			  Q1  Number of offenders  Number of offences per 100 offenders 
			 2000 15,727 245.5 
			 2002 15,578 288.2 
			 2003 14,358 279.1 
			 2004 15,761 253.1 
			 2005 14,595 '228.5 
			 2006 14,380 208.4 
		
	
	The latest reoffending statistics for adults, 'Reoffending of adults: results from the 2006 cohort', were published in September 2008 and can be obtained from:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/reoffendingofadults.htm.

UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what response he plans to make to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief's report of her mission to the UK (A/HRC/7/10/Add.3).

Gillian Merron: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government welcome the publication of the report on the United Kingdom by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief. The Government have noted the contents of her report and welcomed the positive statements about freedom of religion or belief in the United Kingdom as well as her recognition of the great wealth of experience we have on this issue. We expect to make a statement at the Human Rights Council in March 2009 in response to the Special Rapporteur's presentation of her report there.
	The Government were pleased that, during her visit to the UK in June 2007, the Special Rapporteur was able to meet a wide range of government officials, political leaders, legal professionals, academics and representatives of religious communities and civil society.
	The Government, and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, are firmly committed to upholding the right to freedom of religion or belief, including through legislation and policies which address discrimination, intolerance and violence.
	The Government's aim is cohesive communities in which every individual, regardless of ethnic origin or religion or belief (or lack of it) is able to fulfil his or her potential through the enjoyment of equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities.
	I apologise for the delay in replying to your question.

Unpaid Fines: Sentencing

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many women from Wales were held in prison for non-payment of fines on 1 April  (a) 2008,  (b) 2007,  (c) 2006,  (d) 2005 and  (e) 2004.

David Hanson: Figures showing the number of women who were held in custody at 31 March 2004-2008 whose sentencing court was in Wales can be found in the following table.
	
		
			  As at 31 March  Number 
			 2004 0 
			 2005 1 
			 2006 2 
			 2007 0 
			 2008 1 
		
	
	These figures are based on the court from which the prisoner was received.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Whitemoor Prison

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison officer staff have contested dismissal through tribunal from HMP Whitemoor in each of the last 10 years; and what the outcome was in each case.

Shahid Malik: In 2007, the number of prison officer staff contesting their dismissal through an employment tribunal was five. Three of the cases are continuing. In one case the claim was unsuccessful and the other was settled. There have been no cases in 2008. Details in respect of earlier years are not available.

Whitemoor Prison

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison officer staff have been dismissed from the service from HMP Whitemoor in each of the last 10 years, broken down by grounds for dismissal.

Shahid Malik: Records are available only for 2007 and 2008. In 2007, the number of prison officer staff dismissed was 20. Of that number 13 were dismissed for medical inefficiency with seven dismissed for misconduct. For 2008, as at 18 November; three prison officer staff have been dismissed, all for medical inefficiency. Information on earlier years is not readily available.

Young Offenders: Education

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether education or training is compulsory for young offenders aged  (a) between 15 and 17 and  (b) between 18 and 21 years in young offender institutions.

David Hanson: The Young Offender Institution Rules and Prison Rules provide that, in the case of a young person of compulsory school age, arrangements shall be made for his participation in education or training courses for at least 15 hours a week within the normal week.
	The Youth Justice Board require that 90 per cent. of young people in juvenile accommodation (including those aged 15-17) in YOIs receive 25 hours of education, training and personal development activity per week.
	Neither education nor training is compulsory for young offenders aged between 18 and 21 years in young offender institutions.

Young People: Remand in Custody

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many supported accommodation beds are available for juveniles on remand, broken down by youth offending team area;
	(2)  how many remand foster beds are available for juveniles, broken down by youth offending team area;
	(3)  how many beds are available for juveniles detained overnight pending court appearances under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, broken down by youth offending team area.

David Hanson: This information is not collected centrally and to do so could be carried out only at disproportionate cost.
	Local authorities have responsibility for placement of juveniles on non-secure remand in a range of accommodation based on their needs. The accommodation may be supported, placement in foster care, in a children's home or in the family home. The provision of these places is a matter for the local authority to meet local need.

Young People: Remand in Custody

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what proportion of juveniles who have been remanded in custody or under court ordered secure remand pending trial were  (a) acquitted and  (b) received a non-custodial sentence upon conviction in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many  (a) remands in custody and  (b) court ordered secure remands were made in respect of those under 18 years old in (i) youth courts, (ii) adult magistrates courts and (iii) Crown courts in each of the last five years;
	(3)  what the average length of custodial remands for children tried in  (a) youth courts,  (b) adult magistrates courts and  (c) the Crown court is; and what the average was in each case in each of the last five years;
	(4)  how many juveniles were  (a) detained by the police overnight,  (b) placed in local authority accommodation and  (c) bailed pending a first court appearance in each of the last five years;
	(5)  what proportion of juveniles charged with an offence were remanded in custody in the latest period for which figures are available, broken down by offence.

Maria Eagle: With regards to the proportion of juveniles who have been remanded in custody or under court ordered secure remand pending trial and the proportion of juveniles charged with an offence were remanded in custody broken down by offence, I will write to the hon. Member within two weeks when it is anticipated that the data to address those juveniles who have been acquitted and received a non-custodial sentence upon conviction will be available.
	These data are not routinely collated and require five years of data from large administrative datasets to be analysed which is a resource intensive and time-consuming process. It is planned to review the remands data collection during 2009.
	The information to answer the remainder of the questions is not readily available and would require individual court files to be examined which could be carried out only at disproportionate cost.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the Northern Ireland Assembly will take on responsibility for the criminal law in Northern Ireland, with particular reference to abortion; what recent discussions he has had on the issue; what recent representations he has received on the issue; what response he gave; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement I made on 19 November 2008,  Official Report, column 23WS.
	I have received a number of representations from interested parties on all sides of the debate on the abortion law in Northern Ireland. The Government's position remains that the best forum for discussion of these matters is the Northern Ireland Assembly when it assumes responsibility for the criminal law. While the precise timing of the devolution of policing and justice is a matter for the Assembly, an agreed process is under way that will end in the transfer of policing and justice powers, including responsibility for the criminal law relating to abortion.

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what proportion of arrests in Northern Ireland were for drunken and disorderly behaviour in each council area in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: That is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Member, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Buildings

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East of 6 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 85-86W, on departmental buildings, what the cost of each refurbishment was.

Paul Goggins: The information provided in the answer of 6 October related solely to offices that were newly opened and requiring fit-out works before occupation. None of these premises required refurbishment.

Departmental Consultants

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many external consultants work for his Department.

Shaun Woodward: 25 external consultants work for the Northern Ireland Office.

Departmental Hospitality

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department has spent on  (a) hosting events and  (b) bottled water in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: The amount spent by the Northern Ireland Office, excluding its agencies and executive NDPBs, on hosting events in 2007-08 was 318,176.
	The amount spent on bottled water which includes water provided for water coolers for the 2007-08 financial year was 25,777. The NIO has recently reviewed its drinking water policy and decided that where staff have access to tap water which is of drinking water quality, bottled water should no longer be purchased.

Departmental Information Officers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full-time equivalent press officers  (a) work and  (b) provide assistance for his Department.

Shaun Woodward: 13 full-time press officers and one part-time press officer work for my Department.

Departmental Internet

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many page hits from and visitors his departmental website received for the 2007-08 financial year.

Shaun Woodward: During the financial year 2007-08, my departmental website (nio.gov.uk) had 263,214 visitors and 11,356,942 page hits.

Departmental Internet

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of maintaining his departmental website  (a) was in 2007-08 and  (b) are expected to be in 2008-09.

Shaun Woodward: The cost of maintaining my departmental website (nio.gov.uk) in 2007-08 was 4,308. It is expected to remain the same in 2008-09.

Departmental Manpower

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people who are not civil servants his Department employs; and how many civil servants it employs.

Paul Goggins: Within the Northern Ireland Office, its agencies and legal offices, 16.5 people are employed who are not civil servants.
	The numbers of civil servants employed by the Northern Ireland Office, its agencies and legal offices are as follows:
	2,052 administrative grade civil service staff;
	1,939 uniformed grades and civilian support staff in the Northern Ireland Prison Service; and
	312 teachers, social workers and ancillary staff in the Youth Justice Agency.

Departmental Pensions

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of pension contributions incurred by his Department was in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure on pension contributions is for 2008-09.

Paul Goggins: The cost of pension contributions incurred by the Northern Ireland Office Core Department in the last three financial years are 4,379,000 (2005-06), 5,073,000 (2006-07) and 5,422,000 (2007-08). The estimate for expenditure for 2008-09 is 5,612,000. That estimate assumes a 3.5 per cent. inflationary rise on the 2007-08 position.

Departmental Travel

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how much was spent on his Department's staff's travel within the UK in the last 12 months;
	(2)  how much was spent on his Department's staff's international travel in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office, excluding its agencies and executive NDPBs, spent 3,187,123 on travel costs during 2007-08. It is possible to separate domestic and international travel only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Vehicles

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department  (a) has spent on maintaining vehicles in the last five financial years and  (b) expects to spend on maintaining vehicles in the financial year 2008-09.

Shaun Woodward: The information is as follows:
	 (a) The following table provides details of the Northern Ireland Office's expenditure on vehicle maintenance and running costs (excluding agencies and executive NDPBs) since 2003-04.
	
		
			   Expenditure () 
			 2003-04 12,534 
			 2004-05 8,947 
			 2005-06 31,184 
			 2006-07 17,218 
			 2007-08 14,901 
		
	
	 (b) Expenditure budgets are not held at this level but 18,322 has been spent on vehicle maintenance and running costs up to 31 October 2008 in the 2008-09 financial year.

Economic and Monetary Union

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 6 October 2008,  Official Report, column 537W, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's Euro Changeover Plan with the confidential information redacted.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office has now placed a copy of the Euro Changeover Plan in the Library. All confidential information has been redacted.

Fire Services: Death

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many firefighters in Northern Ireland have lost their lives in the course of their duties in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office does not hold this information. The Fire Service is devolved and is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Hotels

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent on hotel bills by his Department in 2007-08.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office, excluding its agencies and executive NDPBs, spent 200,601 on overnight accommodation during 2007-08.
	Other miscellaneous expenditure which may have been incurred during hotel stays, such as business related telephone calls, are reclaimed as expenses and costs could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	All expenditure has to be incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Inquiries: Expenditure

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost has been of  (a) each public inquiry under way and  (b) each historic inquiries team investigation under way in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The costs to the end of October 2008 for each public inquiry under way in Northern Ireland are as follows:
	
		
			million 
			 Robert Hamill Inquiry 18.20 
			 Rosemary Nelson Inquiry 33 42 
			 Billy Wright Inquiry 20.21 
			 Bloody Sunday Inquiry 184.9 
		
	
	I cannot provide the cost of each HET investigation under way. I can confirm that the annual expenditure on HET investigations has been as follows:
	
		
			million 
			 2005-06 4.33 
			 2006-07 6.04 
			 2007-08 7.33 
			 2008-09 (1)5.12 
			 (1) To the end of October 2008.

Inquiries: Expenditure

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of each  (a) public inquiry, apart from the Saville Inquiry, and  (b) historic inquires team investigation under way in Northern Ireland has been in each of the last six months.

Shaun Woodward: The costs for each of the last six months for the inquiries, apart from the Saville Inquiry, and the HET are shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Independent public inquiries 
			  000 
			  2008  Robert Hamill Inquiry  Rosemary Nelson Inquiry  Billy Wright Inquiry  Total 
			 May 703 2,368 1,303 4,374 
			 June 540 1,125 776 2,441 
			 July 688 1,271 845 2,804 
			 August 495 858 770 2,123 
			 September 248 1,054 265 1,567 
			 October 615 1,722 810 3,147 
			 Total 3,707 8,734 4,546 16,987 
		
	
	
		
			  The Historical Enquiries Team 
			  000 
			  2008  PSNI HET spend  FSNI HET spend  OPONI HET spend  Total 
			 April 657 62 70 789 
			 May 540 28 70 638 
			 June 605 35 75 715 
			 July 924 34 70 1,028 
			 August 284 33 77 394 
			 September 726 21 79 826 
			 October 617 33 79 729 
			 Total 4,353 246 520 5,119 
			  Note:  Figures are available only to the end of September 2008.

Police: Pay

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many temporary advances issued to police officers in Northern Ireland  (a) attending courses outside Northern Ireland and  (b) performing duty outside Northern Ireland are outstanding; and what the monetary value of those advances is.

Paul Goggins: That is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the hon. Member, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Racial Harassment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: During the last 12 months, the Northern Ireland Office has not received any official complaints of racial abuse. An equal opportunities and diversity course, which was introduced in the summer of 2007, is currently being rolled out to all staff in the Department. It highlights the importance of treating others with dignity and includes guidance on appropriate behaviour in the workplace.

Saville Inquiry

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the cost of the Saville Inquiry has been spent on legal fees to date.

Shaun Woodward: I am advised that legal costs currently total 98.4 million to the end of October 2008. This comprises 65.9 million incurred by the inquiry and 32.5 million incurred by the Ministry of Defence.

Television

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department has spent on  (a) televisions and  (b) receiving digital television in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office, excluding its agencies and executive NDPBs, spent 2,415 on televisions in the 2007-08 financial year.
	A total of 7,418 was paid to companies who provide digital television services during the 2007-08 financial year. This total includes licensing, subscription and instalment costs.

PRIME MINISTER

Christmas

Philip Hammond: To ask the Prime Minister how much his Office has spent on Christmas  (a) cards,  (b) parties and  (c) decorations in the last 12 months.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for West Chelmsford (Mr. Burns) on 18 February 2008,  Official Report, column 126W and to the answer I gave him on 24 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 2178-79W.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Prime Minister what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in his Office has been in the last 12 months.

Gordon Brown: Special advisers are temporary civil servants. They have no entitlement to an allocated Government car. Special advisers' travel arrangements are made in accordance with the rules and guidance set out in the 'Civil Service Management Code' and departmental staff handbooks.

Intelligence and Security Committee

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Prime Minister when the annual report of the Intelligence and Security Committee for the year 2007-08 will be published.

Gordon Brown: The Committee is due to submit its Annual Report for 2007-08 to me by the end of the year. Once the report is received I will make the necessary arrangements for it to be published and laid before the House in the usual way.

Retail Trade: Competition

Andrew George: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what meetings at which the Competition Commission market investigation into the supply of groceries in the UK was discussed he has had since 1 May 2008;
	(2)  what meetings he has had with representatives of UK grocery retailers since 1 May 2008.

Gordon Brown: My officials and I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals on a range of subjects.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Armed Forces

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what resources the Government have provided for the training of local militias in Afghanistan.

John Hutton: The UK Government are not involved in the training of local militias in Afghanistan. We do however provide personnel (both military and civilian) and funding to train and mentor the Afghan National Security Forces.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contacts there have been between British forces and the Taliban in Helmand province in each of the last 12 months.

John Hutton: The number of direct engagements (regardless of the instigator) involving the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and insurgents in Helmand province in each of the last 12 complete months are as follows:
	
		
			   Number of attacks involving coalition forces 
			 November 2007 168 
			 December 2007 207 
			 January 2008 114 
			 February 2008 102 
			 March 2008 127 
			 April 2008 92 
			 May 2008 107 
			 June 2008 135 
			 July 2008 182 
			 August 2008 277 
			 September 2008 247 
			 October 2008 219 
		
	
	ISAF forces operating in Helmand come from a number of different nations which often operate closely alongside each other. These forces also operate very closely alongside Afghan army and police units. Without undertaking a detailed assessment of each engagement, it is not possible precisely to define in every case whether an attack was aimed at UK forces, at our ISAF partners, or against Afghan units. Data are therefore collected on the number of incidents involving ISAF forces in Helmand without attempting to identify the nationality of the forces actually being attacked. The environment also makes it extremely difficult precisely to distinguish between incidents initiated by insurgent forces and those initiated by ISAF.
	These data are based on information derived from a number of sources and can only be an estimate, not least because of the difficulties in ensuring a consistent interpretation of the basis for collating statistics in a complex fast-moving multinational operational environment.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how UK armed forces plan to contribute to NATO's anti-narcotics strategy in Helmand province.

John Hutton: UK forces in Afghanistan, as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission, will support Afghan National Security Forces in targeting those parts of the illegal narcotics trade with a proven link to the insurgency. This support will continue to be provided in response to direct requests from the Government of Afghanistan and within existing means and capabilities.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many of the 13 personnel who were seriously injured in Afghanistan in 2006  (a) have received no compensation,  (b) are awaiting a decision on their compensation claim and  (c) have already received compensation;
	(2)  how many of the 40 personnel who were seriously injured in Afghanistan in 2007  (a) have received no compensation,  (b) are awaiting a decision on their compensation claim and  (c) have already received compensation;
	(3)  how many of the 23 personnel who were very seriously injured in Afghanistan in 2007  (a) have received no compensation,  (b) are still awaiting a decision on their compensation claim and  (c) have received compensation.

Kevan Jones: Of the 13 personnel who were seriously injured in Afghanistan during 2006, nine personnel have made a claim for compensation under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).
	Of the 40 personnel who were seriously injured in Afghanistan during 2007, 33 personnel have made a claim for compensation under the AFCS.
	Of the 23 personnel who were very seriously injured (VSI) in Afghanistan during 2007, 22 personnel have made a claim for compensation under the AFCS.
	Welfare staff at Headley Court, Selly Oak hospital and other units offer advice to our injured personnel on the most appropriate time to apply for compensation.
	Table 1, as follows, presents the number of individuals that  (a) have made no claim under the AFCS,  (b) are awaiting a decision on their compensation claim under the AFCS and  (c) have already received compensation under the AFCS. Figures are presented by severity and year of injury in Afghanistan. Figures presented are as at 13 November 2008.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of claims registered, claims awarded and registered claims pending a decision, by severity and year of injury in Afghanistan 
			   Total  No claim registered  Claim pending  Claim awarded 
			  2006 
			 Seriously Injured(1) 13 4 1 8 
			  2007 
			 Seriously Injured 40 7 2 31 
			 Very Seriously Injured 23 1 1 21 
			 (1) The claim with a pending decision from a 2006 serious injury was not made until October 2008.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to change overall UK troop numbers in Afghanistan in the next 12 months.

John Hutton: On 16 June 2008,  Official Report, columns 675-79, we announced an uplift in force levels in Afghanistan to bring our commitment to around 8,000. We do not comment on future troop deployments but our force levels are kept under regular review by Chiefs and Ministers as part of routine defence business.

Africa: Piracy

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to counteract piracy off the coast of Africa.

Bob Ainsworth: The Government's stance on piracy has been reviewed. This has resulted in a move to a more proactive posture whereby Royal Navy units in the region will actively seek out pirates, and we have issued them with more robust guidance to deal with any pirates encountered. The Royal Navy contributes to counter-piracy operations through three international efforts:
	The UK is already engaged in efforts to combat acts of piracy off Somalia, through the Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, which has established a Maritime Security Patrol Area in the Gulf of Aden. CTF 150 units in this area, including Royal Navy vessels, are actively conducting operations to counter destabilising activities primarily aimed at deterring and disrupting acts of piracy.
	Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, including attached Royal Navy units, has also deployed to the region with a mandate which includes counter-piracy. Last week HMS Cumberland, currently deployed with NATO, deterred several suspected pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Royal Navy subsequently captured and handed over eight suspected pirates to Kenyan authorities.
	We have also supported EU planning for a counter-piracy naval operation off the coast of Somalia, and on 14 October the EU Political and Security Committee decided to accept the offer made by the UK to provide the operation commander and the operation HQ (the Multinational Headquarters at Northwood). On 10 November EU Foreign and Defence Ministers met at the General Affairs and External Relations Council and agreed the joint action to set up the EU mission. A further joint action to launch the mission is expected in early December. The UK offer is subject to sufficient forces being generated for an operation likely to begin in December.

Africa: Piracy

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what UK forces are stationed off the east African coast to deal with piracy in the area.

Bob Ainsworth: The UK is currently supporting two international efforts to counter piracy off the Horn of Africa and is involved in planning a third. Currently HMS Cumberland is deployed as part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 which has a mandate that includes counter-piracy operations and World Food Programme escort. HMS Kent and RFA Wave Knight are deployed with Combined Task Force 150 which is conducting operations to counter destabilising activity in the Gulf of Aden. HMS Northumberland is currently attached to CTF 150 pending attachment to the planned EU counter-piracy mission which is anticipated to start in December.

Armed Conflict: Monuments

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether  (a) the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and  (b) another organisation maintains a list of the names of fallen service personnel recorded on major war memorials; whether the names of those on the plaques removed by thieves from the Plymouth Royal Naval Memorial in 2008 were independently recorded; whether the stolen plaques have been (i) recovered and (ii) replaced; and if he will make a statement.

Kevan Jones: I can confirm that, under the terms of its Royal Charter, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) maintains the official lists of all Commonwealth Service personnel who died in the two World Wars and associated conflicts, covering the periods from 4 August 1914 to 31 August 1921 and 3 September 1939 to 31 December 1947. Outside of this, responsibility for commemoration rests with the relevant Commonwealth Government. The Ministry of Defence maintains the official list of names of those members of the UK armed forces who have died since 1 January 1948.
	Records of the names on the Plymouth Royal Naval Memorial of Naval personnel who died in the two World Wars are held by the CWGC. The CWGC confirm that four bronze plaques were recently stolen from the memorial but have all been recovered by the police. Unfortunately two of the plaques were damaged beyond repair and replacements are being manufactured; these are expected to be available for installation by spring 2009. The two undamaged plaques are scheduled to be reinstalled on the memorial in the week beginning 24 November and alterations are being made to the installation arrangements to reduce the risk of future theft. The CWGC understand several arrests have been made in connection with the case.
	There are also many war memorials in the UK and more widely around the world for those killed in the service of HM armed forces which are not official commemorations. The UK National Inventory of War Memorialsa joint initiative between the Imperial War Museum and English Heritagelists a large number of these but does not record the names of all those listed on them. Responsibility for these memorials lies with their owners.

Armed Conflict: Monuments

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to support the establishment of a national memorial to Bomber Command.

Kevan Jones: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my noble Friend, the then Minister for Defence, Equipment and Support, Baroness Taylor, on 19 March 2008,  Official Report, column 249, in the other place.
	The nation can be justly proud of the bravery and dedication of those who served in Bomber Command during World War II and of the contribution they made to the Allied victory. The Government welcome the appeal launched by the Bomber Command Association to fund a memorial in London and the Ministry of Defence is providing support by helping to ensure effective co-ordination of the various stakeholders.

Armed Conflict: Monuments

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason his Department has not established a memorial to Bomber Command in London.

Kevan Jones: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my noble Friend, the then Minister for Defence, Equipment and Support, Baroness Taylor, on 19 March 2008,  Official Report, column 249, in the other place.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the  (a) armed forces,  (b) Army,  (c) Navy and  (d) Air Force are currently engaged in (i) operations and (ii) other military tasks.

Bob Ainsworth: The following table shows the requested percentage of UK Service personnel deployed on operations as at 7 September 2008. The total trained strength figures that were used to calculate the percentage are for 1 September 2008. The number of personnel in theatre will naturally fluctuate on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including leave (rest and recuperation), temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces and other factors.
	
		
			  Percentage of trained  armed forces  in operations 
			   Percentage 
			 Total armed forces 8.2 
			 Army 10.7 
			 Navy 4.1 
			 RAF 5.8 
			  Source:  DASA (Quad-Service) 
		
	
	Other military tasks encompass a wide spectrum of military duties. In its broadest sense this includes all duties carried out by Service personnel.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK military personnel are based in Pakistan.

John Hutton: There are currently 25 UK military personnel based in Pakistan.

Armed Forces: Health Services

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with Help for Heroes on funding for rehabilitation for military casualties from  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan.

Kevan Jones: The Secretary of State and I have had several recent meetings and discussions with the chief executive of Help for Heroes about the range and quality of rehabilitation support available to our military casualties.
	We continue to invest in facilities and staff at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court, as well as the Regional Rehabilitation Units, to ensure that the treatment provided to military personnel is second to none. When Help for Heroes was established last year, it announced that it intended to raise the necessary funds for a swimming pool at Headley Court. While the unit already has a hydrotherapy pool and several gyms, the new pool will be a welcome enhancement to the excellent facilities that the unit already has. Furthermore, the campaign to raise funds has offered another very real opportunity for the public to demonstrate support for our armed forces. For these reasons we warmly welcome the efforts of Help for Heroes and of the other charities that do so much in support of our servicemen and women.
	We are now working closely with Help for Heroes on a project to build a new rehabilitation complex at the unit, including a pool and gym. Ministerial discussions with the charity have covered that project and related issues.

Armed Forces: Suicide

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many episodes of  (a) suicide,  (b) attempted suicide and  (c) self-harm have been recorded and subject to significant event analysis in primary care since the circulation of Policy Letter 62/03 by the Director General of Army Medical Services, broken down by episodes recorded (i) in the UK, (ii) in Iraq, (iii) in Afghanistan and (iv) elsewhere overseas.

Bob Ainsworth: Since 2003 there have been 36 coroner-confirmed suicides in the regular Army. Of these, 26 occurred in the United Kingdom, three in Iraq, one in Afghanistan and six in other overseas locations.
	Between 2003 and 2005 (the latest data compiled), during which time there were on average 111,000 serving in the Army, there have been 626 cases of deliberate self-harm by Army personnel investigated by the Royal Military Police. Of the 626 cases investigated, 426 occurred within the UK, 12 were in Iraq, two were in Afghanistan and 186 occurred in other overseas locations. The information held does not include any clinical information, thus it is not possible to differentiate between acts of deliberate self harm and attempted suicide.
	The MOD plans to update the data it holds on deliberate self-harm in the first part of 2009 to include data for 2006 and 2007.

Armed Forces: Training

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the wastage rates from  (a) phase 1 and  (b) phase 2 training were in (i) each year since 2001 and (ii) each month since January 2008; and how many people left each category of training in each period.

Kevan Jones: The information is as follows:
	 Wastage rates during new entry (phase 1 and 2) training
	The following table details the outflow from the untrained strength to civilian life for each financial year:
	
		
			   Number 
			 FY 2001-02 6,780 
			 FY 2002-03 7,250 
			 FY 2003-04 6,940 
			 FY 2004-05 5,830 
			 FY 2005-06 5,120 
			 FY 2006-07 (1)6,290 
			 FY 2007-08 (1)6,850 
			 (1) Provisional 
		
	
	The following table details the outflow from the untrained strength to civilian life for each month:
	
		
			   Number 
			 January 2008 (1)400 
			 February 2008 (1)530 
			 March 2008 (1)620 
			 April 2008 (1)600 
			 May 2008 (1)540 
			 June 2008 (1)610 
			 July 2008 (1)500 
			 August 2008 (1)560 
			 September 2008 (1)360 
			 (1) Provisional 
		
	
	For numerous reasons, including instances where there is no distinction between the types of training, it is not possible to specify the separate outflow from phase 1 and phase 2 training.
	The wastage rates are constantly under review and a number of initiatives are under consideration, to lower these rates without compromising the quality of outcome. Initiatives include ways to better prepare potential recruits for selection and initial training, and increasing applicants' understanding of the military's expectations of trainees, and the unique aspects of a service life.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the technical specifications and photographs of the Alvis Vickers Scarab vehicle as evaluated by his Department in the assessment phase of the future command and liaison vehicle competition.

Quentin Davies: The Alvis Vickers Scarab was a contender vehicle for the future command and liaison Vehicle (FCLV), now known as PANTHER. Scarab was withdrawn from the procurement competition by Alvis Vickers and consequently the MOD does not hold technical specifications or photographs resulting from its evaluation.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will place in the Library a copy of the technical specifications and photographs of the Glover Webb armoured patrol vehicle;
	(2)  how many Glover Webb armoured patrol vehicles were initially purchased; when they were purchased; when they were sold; and to whom they were sold.

Quentin Davies: The Glover Webb armoured patrol vehicle (APV Mk 1) went out of service prior to the introduction of Snatch 1 in 1992. The requested information has not been retained by the Department due to the time elapsed since the APV Mk 1 left service.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many equipment failure reports there have been for Snatch Land Rovers in each year since 2005.

Quentin Davies: There has been a total of 758 equipment failure reports (EFRs) submitted on Snatch Land Rovers since 2005 as follows:
	
		
			   Number of EFRs 
			 2005 297 
			 2006 382 
			 2007 62 
			 2008(1) 17 
			 Total 758 
			 (1) To 18 November. 
		
	
	The equipment failure reporting system (EFRS) is the mandated system for equipment users to report failures, such as accidental damage, maintenance-related failures and breakdowns, or the failure of an item fitted to the vehicle. It does not incorporate the results of subsequent investigations and therefore does not differentiate between what might later prove to have been a problem caused by operator error or damage sustained as a result of operations. Nor do these data record the severity of a failure which might have no discernible impact on operational capability or safety.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the procurement of new utility vehicles announced on 29 October 2008 will have on the Future Rapid Effect System programme.

John Hutton: The announcement on 29 October 2008 of our plans to provide additional protected vehicles for Afghanistan will have no effect on the requirement for the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) programme. The protected vehicles are specifically procured for use on current operations, in particular in logistics and other supporting roles. FRES is intended to replace legacy armoured fighting vehicles and to meet the Army's wider requirements for medium-weight capability able to operate across the whole spectrum of operations.

Army: Conditions of Employment

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what regulations there are on the compatibility of membership of the British National Party and service in the Army Intelligence Corps.

Bob Ainsworth: Under Queen's Regulations for the Army 1975, chapter 5, part 14, regular service personnel are free to join political parties, but are not allowed to take an active part in the affairs of any political organisation, party or movement. They are not to participate in political marches or demonstrations.

Army: Deployment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what percentage of the Army failed to meet  (a) harmony guidelines for tour intervals and  (b) separated service guidelines in the latest period for which figures are available, broken down by corps;
	(2)  what the average tour interval was for each Army corps in the latest period for which figures are available.

Bob Ainsworth: The percentage of Army units (within those corps for which we record tour interval information) failing to meet harmony guidelines, as at 20 November 2008, is 46 per cent. The breakdown is as follows:
	
		
			  Corps  Percentage breaching harmony guidelines 
			 Royal Artillery 55 
			 Royal Armoured Corps 22 
			 Infantry 50 
		
	
	The percentage of Army personnel failing to meet Separated Service guidelines, as at 31 December 2006, is 10.3 per cent. These are the most recent data available. It is hoped that Separate Service data will in future be produced by the Joint Personnel Administration system.
	The average tour intervals for each Army corps (for which we record tour interval information), as at 20 November 2008, is as follows:
	
		
			  Corps  Average tour interval (months) 
			 Royal Artillery 25 
			 Royal Armoured Corps (1)25 
			 Infantry (2)23 
			 (1) Excludes two Royal Tank Regiment (2RTR) as they have not deployed as a formed unit since 2003. (2) Excludes one and two LANCS due to their amalgamation  (1 KORBR, 1 KINGS and QLR) in 2006. 
		
	
	The unit tour interval is a less relevant measure when applied to other corps (such as the Royal Engineers and the Royal Corps of Signals). This is due to the frequency with which personnel move between formed units within these corps (the personnel deployed with a unit will be substantially different from the personnel deployed with the same unit on a previous occasion). Unit tour interval data for these corps are not, therefore, routinely collated.

Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what budget was allocated to the Defence Nuclear Safety (DNS) Regulator in the latest period for which figures are available; how many staff are employed by the DNS Regulator; how many are field inspectors; what expertise is required to be engaged as a DNS Inspector; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the  (a) skills base and  (b) numbers employed by the DNS Regulator.

Quentin Davies: The Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) has a staff of 23, comprising 20 technical staff, supported by three administrative staff. All of the 20 technical staff engage in (field) inspections and 17 of them are appointed as Inspectors. In addition to the internal manpower costs, DNSR's budget in the current year is for operating costs of 0.2 million. This internal team is supported by dedicated staff in the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and from industry, for which the budget in the current year is 4.254 million (representing around 35 man years).
	The competence requirements for each post are specifically identified: they include competence in nuclear technology, safety management, safety regulation and nuclear accident management. All new inspectors joining DNSR follow a training programme, and their competence is formally assessed before they receive delegated authority. The level of skill and numbers required to effectively regulate the defence nuclear programmes is reviewed annually by the Defence Nuclear Environment and Safety Board (DNESB) Chairman, taking account of views of DNESB members and the representatives of the HSE Nuclear Directorate, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency who attend the DNESB. This is also considered by the independent Defence Nuclear Safety Committee, who separately advise the Secretary of State for Defence.

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which United Kingdom military airframes  (a) have been used and  (b) are planned to be used in connection with operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 18 November 2008
	There have been no UK military aircraft used in connection with operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the recent increases in violence began in the east. At present, MOD has no plans to perform any operations related to the current surge in violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; we are therefore not planning on using any United Kingdom military airframes of any type in the country.

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Peacekeeping Operations

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what countries have contributed to the UN force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and how many troops each has provided.

Bob Ainsworth: The information requested is available at:
	http://www.monuc.org
	and is updated on a regular basis.

Departmental Catering

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether food and drink on sale to staff of  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds.

Kevan Jones: There is no subsidy of prices for food and drink on sale to staff.

Departmental ICT

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) memory sticks,  (b) laptop computers,  (c) desktop computers,  (d) hard drives and  (e) mobile telephones were (i) lost by and (ii) stolen from his Department in each year since 1997.

Kevan Jones: As part of its ongoing action plan, MOD is currently undertaking censuses of all IT and digital media as recommended by the Burton report. As a result, some adjustment of historic figures previously reported is expected. However, we take any loss of media storage devices very seriously. We have put in place revised, robust procedures. New processes, instructions and technological aids are also being implemented to mitigate human errors and raise awareness of every individual in the Department.
	No centralised records were maintained prior to 2003 and are not therefore available. Figures from 2003 will continue to be adjusted to incorporate subsequent recoveries of items, the reporting of additional thefts and losses and subsequent clarification of historic incidents. The following figures reflect the latest data held as at 5 November 2008.
	
		
			   Lost  Stolen 
			  (a) Figures for memory sticks   
			 2003 0 0 
			 2004 0 27 
			 2005 0 2 
			 2006 2 56 
			 2007 8 1 
			 2008(1) 59 6 
			
			  (b) Figures for laptop computers   
			 2003 27 135 
			 2004 22 272 
			 2005 18 130 
			 2006 27 170 
			 2007 22 101 
			 2008(1) 62 58 
			
			  (c) Figures for desktop computers   
			 2003 1 45 
			 2004 0 38 
			 2005 0 25 
			 2006 0 28 
			 2007 2 13 
			 2008(1) 4 8 
			
			  (d) Figures for hard drives   
			 2003 4 5 
			 2004 7 18 
			 2005 12 2 
			 2006 42 5 
			 2007 8 1 
			 2008(1) 72 2 
			 (1) Up to 5 November 2008 
		
	
	 (e ) Figures for mobile telephones
	MOD units are not required to centrally report incidents of loss or theft of mobile phones, and to gather these data would incur disproportionate cost. These figures reflect reports which have been provided where the incidents have security significance or have been associated with the theft of other property.
	
		
			   Lost  Stolen 
			 2003 0 0 
			 2004 1 1 
			 2005 0 0 
			 2006 0 3 
			 2007 1 0 
			 2008(1) 4 2 
			 (1) Up to 5 November 2008

Departmental ICT

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the evidence provided by the Permanent Secretary to the Public Accounts Committee on 22 October 2008, on the Defence Information Infrastructure programme, who provided the figure of the estimated value of 2.3 billion for the programme contract provided in the answer to the hon. Member for Portsmouth South of 17 July 2006,  Official Report, column 210W, on defence information structure; when he was informed that the figure given in that answer was incorrect; what steps were taken to inform the hon. Member for Portsmouth South of that fact; and what steps are being taken to prevent other mistakes in the provision of information to Parliament on his Department's project costs.

Quentin Davies: At the time the hon. Member's question was tabled (July 2006), only Increment 1 of the DII Programme had obtained financial approval within the Department and was supported by a contract with the delivery partner. The answer given on 17 July 2006,  Official Report, column 210W (which was based on information provided by the DII programme team), was confined to the value of that contract2.3 billion. This was in accordance with normal practice, which reflects the fact that giving estimated values for subsequent increments which are not yet approved or under contract could adversely affect the Department's position in future commercial negotiations. The answer was not incorrect. It made it clear that the figure given was the value of the DII Increment 1 contract.
	Since 2006, additional increments of DII work have been placed on contract with Atlas, and parliamentary answers on DII(F) contract costs reflect the estimated value at the time, including uplifts for those additional increments. The NAO value for money audit report published on 4 July provides additional estimates of dependent programme costs, and potential DII(F) future increments, both of which lie outside of the current DII programme's approval.

Departmental Land

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much surplus land  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies own; and what the (i) area and (ii) estimated monetary value of each site is.

Kevan Jones: A list of the Department's surplus land and property is regularly updated and placed in the Library of the House. The details provided include the area of each site.
	The Department does not publish details of the estimated value of land that is due to be disposed of as this is commercially sensitive and could influence property transactions. Surplus property is normally sold on the open market with the benefit of competition.

Departmental Land

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for each of the sites owned by his Department and registered on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land; what construction projects are planned for each site; and when he expects each site to be returned to use.

Kevan Jones: On the assumption that there is no interest from other Government Departments or former owner considerations under the 'Crichel Down' rules, the Department sells its surplus sites on the open market as soon as practicable.
	Any future use to which the land might be put will ultimately be determined by other Government Departments if transferred after exposure on the Register of Public Sector Land or by the purchaser subject to the rigour of the Town and Country Planning system.

Departmental Press Releases

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement.

Kevan Jones: Records are not available for the entire time period. However the statistics for the last three complete calendar years are as shown.
	
		
			   Press releases 
			 2005 334 
			 2006 356 
			 2007 305 
		
	
	It should be noted that press releases are only one part of the press officer function and will not include direct responses to journalist inquiries.

European Fighter Aircraft: Bombs

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects Paveway IV bombs to enter service on Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft.

Quentin Davies: The Paveway IV weapon system is expected to enter service on Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft from early in the next decade.

Ex-servicemen: Counselling

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department has taken to inform service veterans of services available to them, with particular reference to mental health counselling services.

Kevan Jones: When service personnel leave the armed forces, their healthcare needs are the responsibility of the NHS. Service leavers, particularly those who have medical problems or who are considered vulnerable, receive advice about the help available to them by MOD welfare services and are given information about the ex-service charities (such as the Royal British Legion and Combat Stress). This is reinforced by outreach events and information from the Department. More specifically, NHS-led community mental health pilots are running at five sites offering a best practice, culturally sensitive, veterans' mental health service; another one will begin shortly in Scotland. The service offers wider support of public and charitable providers and is being linked to the Government's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme. A current focus is raising awareness among local health professionals and potential clients.

Ex-servicemen: Radiation Exposure

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the implications for the health of British nuclear test veterans of the research conducted by the Medical Research Council into DNA defects in nuclear test veterans.

Kevan Jones: The Ministry of Defence is not aware of any research conducted by the Medical Research Council into DNA defects in nuclear test veterans.
	The concerns of the nuclear test veterans, however, are a priority. That is why I have asked my officials to work with experts on scoping a study into the possible links between the service of the veterans and the ill-health suffered by some of their children and grandchildren. The study will need to be sufficiently thorough and robust if it is to have the confidence of all concerned and I am happy that the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association is willing to be involved in this process. We are hopeful that a decision will be made on a way ahead before Christmas.

Future Large Aircraft

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the basic A400M airframe will be configured to deliver an air-to-air refuelling capability; and what his policy is on whether the RAF fleet will be adaptable to such a capability.

Quentin Davies: The basic A400M airframe has been designed with an optional air-to-air refuelling (tanker) capability. The design also includes an air-to-air refuelling probe in order to receive fuel. These are only installed and cleared for use in line with specific customer requirements.
	The future strategic tanker aircraft is being procured to meet the Department's currently envisaged air-to-air refuelling requirements. Therefore, while the A400M could be fitted with an air-to-air refuelling (tanker) capability, the Department currently has no plans to adapt them for this role. The Department also has no plans to clear the refuelling probe capability for A400M. The fleet will however remain adaptable to have these capabilities enabled if required.

Future Large Aircraft

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial penalty clauses apply to his Department should it decide to  (a) reduce orders under and  (b) withdraw from the A400M Programme.

Quentin Davies: The A400M development and production contract, placed by OCCAR on behalf of the partner nations, contains provisions which allow nations to reduce aircraft numbers and provide suitable compensation for Airbus Military. The costs will vary depending on the timing of any reduction.
	The contract contains provisions which allow nations to withdraw from the programme. Again, the cost of compensation will vary depending on the timing of the withdrawal.
	Notwithstanding the contractual aspects, under the terms of the A400M development and production Memorandum of Understanding, all nations collaborating on the programme are obliged to hold their partners harmless from any associated impact resulting from a reduction in off-take or withdrawal from the programme.

Future Large Aircraft: Safety

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of fitting a fuel inerting gas system to a A400M.

Quentin Davies: I am withholding the cost of fitting an A400M aircraft with a fuel inerting gas system as this is commercially sensitive.

Harrier Aircraft: Manpower

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what force size of Harrier pilots is required to achieve harmony for 11 pilots in theatre.

Bob Ainsworth: A total of 55 Harrier pilots would meet Royal Air Force harmony guidelines to support 11 Harrier pilots in theatre. In my answer on 17 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 134-35W, I stated that there were currently 12 Harrier pilots deployed in Afghanistan. The exact number of deployed pilots has fluctuated between 11 and 12 depending on circumstances. Inquiries made to answer this question have revealed that the figure of 12 pilots in my earlier answer was incorrect and I can confirm that there are actually 11 Harrier pilots currently in Afghanistan.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2008,  Official Report, column 147W, on Iraq: peacekeeping operations, how many Jaish-al-Mahdi prisoners have been released as a result of these discussions;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2008,  Official Report, column 304W, on Iraq: peacekeeping operations, whether the discussions with representatives of Jaish-al-Mahdi included discussions on the withdrawal of the British Army to Basra airport.

John Hutton: Decisions on the disposition, role and number of UK forces in Iraq are taken by the UK Government, based on advice from military commanders on the ground and in conjunction with our coalition partners and the Government of Iraq.
	With the full knowledge and support of both our coalition partners and the Iraqi Government, discussions with senior figures in Jaish al-Mahdi in Basra commenced in the summer of 2007 and continued until the end of that year. Over that period, 88 individuals were released from the divisional internment facility. For each of these individuals, the decision to release was taken by the Divisional Internment Review Committee on the basis that these individuals no longer represented an imperative threat to security.

Military Aircraft

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of  (a) Merlin HM MK1 and  (b) Nimrod MR2 are (i) in service, (ii) in the forward fleet and (iii) fit for purpose.

Quentin Davies: The information requested for Merlin Mk1 and Nimrod MR2 aircraft that are in service, in the forward fleet and considered fit for purpose (FFP) is provided in the following table. 'In service' has been taken to mean the effective fleet which covers all aircraft barring those which are redundant, declared as surplus or awaiting disposal. Aircraft in the forward fleet are those that are available to the front-line command for operational and training purposes, including those that are classed as 'short-term unserviceable'. Aircraft defined as fit for purpose are those considered capable of carrying out their planned missions on a given date: these statistics are taken daily and reported as monthly averages.
	
		
			   Merlin HM Mk1( 1)  Nimrod MR2( 2) 
			 Effective fleet 42 15 
			 Forward fleet 21 9 
			 Fit for purpose (FFP) 12 5 
			 Forward fleet as a percentage of effective fleet 50 60 
			 FFP as a percentage of forward fleet 57 55 
			 (1 )Data as of 31 October 2008. (2 )Data as of 14 November 2008.

Military Aircraft

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the merits of extending the life of the C-130K fleet;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the merits of purchasing one or more additional C-17s;
	(3)  what his latest estimate is of the in-service date of the A400M aircraft.

Quentin Davies: It is planned that the Hercules C-130K fleet, the out-of-service date of which remains 2012, will be replaced by the A400M, which has a planned in-service date of 2011. However, following the recent announcement of delays by Airbus Military in the A400M programme, we are considering a number of options as a contingency to mitigate any potential capability gaps that may arise. Options we are considering include an extension to the life of the C-130K fleet and leasing or procurement of additional C-17 capacity. We are monitoring the situation closely and are pressing Airbus Military for further information so we can make a detailed assessment of the impact on A400M production deliveries and the planned in-service date.

Military Bases: Helicopters

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the levels of noise pollution from helicopters in the areas around  (a) RAF Benson and  (b) RAF Odiham.

Bob Ainsworth: Initial environmental baseline studies have been completed which include estimates of the existing noise climates (computer modelling) at all the sites being considered by programme Belvedere (a programme to rationalise the battlefield helicopter estate of Joint Helicopter Command). The programme includes RAF Odiham and RAF Benson.
	An assessment of the potential changes in noise levels at existing and potential helicopter bases is being initiated by the project team. Their assessment will, in turn, closely inform the evaluation of the options.

Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new referrals to each Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit there have been in each year since 2003.

Kevan Jones: The number of referrals of military patients to the NHS trusts hosting the five Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs) since 2003 are shown as follows. The data relate to in-patient and out-patient referrals for all medical conditions. Most operational casualties, however, are treated under the auspices of the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine in Birmingham (which is not an MDHU).
	
		
			  MDHU  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 (up to  31 October 2008) 
			 Derriford 1,741 2,360 2,227 2,438 2,428 1,621 
			 Frimley Park 4,533 6,015 5,779 5,812 5,800 3,765 
			 Northallerton (1)n/a (1)139 3,613 2,453 3,324 1,910 
			 Peterborough 3,612 3,780 3,471 3,362 3,894 3,839 
			 Portsmouth 4,738 4,264 4,619 4,502 4,217 2,552 
			 n/a = Not available (1) South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust did not account for referrals to MDHU Northallerton before November 2005.

Nuclear Power: Emergencies

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) departmental officials and  (b) members of the armed services are available for mobilisation in the event of a nuclear accident emergency; and what level of training is given to departmental officials on nuclear emergency response.

Bob Ainsworth: The number of civilian and military personnel employed within the MOD's nuclear accident response organisation will vary depending on the type, location and circumstances of any defence nuclear accident. It is therefore not possible to give precise numbers of personnel employed.
	All those engaged in the nuclear accident response organisation are fully trained. Nuclear accident response capability is demonstrated on a regular basis to the satisfaction of the Health and Safety Executive (Nuclear Installations Inspectorate) and the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator.

Nuclear Weapons

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any of the UK's nuclear bombs exploded during  (a) the major trials of the 1950s and 1960s in Australia and the Pacific Islands and  (b) the minor tests code-named Kittens, Tims, Rats and Vixen conducted at Maralinga, contained beryllium.

Kevan Jones: Beryllium was employed in major weapon design trials undertaken in Australia and the Pacific Islands in the 1950s. The UK did not carry out any major trials in the 1960s.
	Beryllium was also used in minor trials in the 1950s and 1960s, including some in the four series referred to. It has not proved possible in the time available to determine which individual tests in these four series did involve beryllium.

Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK military personnel are based in Sudan; and how many work with  (a) NATO forces,  (b) EU forces and  (c) other forces.

Bob Ainsworth: The UK currently has six military personnel based in Sudan. Two are in the defence section within the embassy, three are with the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), and one is with the UN/AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). The UK holds a further four posts in UNAMID for which three staff officers are due to deploy in the next two weeks.

Tornado Aircraft

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado GR4 aircraft are available; how many were available in  (a) October 2007 and  (b) each month of 2008 to date; and how many aircraft were unserviceable at the latest date for which figures are available.

Quentin Davies: The numbers of Tornado GR4 aircraft in the forward available fleet (FAF) for the months of October 2007 and January to October 2008 are detailed in the following table. FAF aircraft are those that are available to the front-line command for operational and training purposes; aircraft undergoing scheduled depth maintenance, or planned routine fleet maintenance are not included.
	
		
			   Average number of Tornado GR4 in forward fleet 
			  2007  
			 October 106 
			  2008  
			 January 106 
			 February 106 
			 March 106 
			 April 106 
			 May 106 
			 June 106 
			 July 106 
			 August 106 
			 September 105 
			 October 102 
		
	
	In October 2008 an average of 18 Tornado GR4 aircraft were not fit for purpose (FFP). Aircraft defined as not FFP are those considered not to be capable of carrying out their planned missions on a given date; this includes aircraft undergoing short-term forward maintenance and other minor works.
	The figures shown are the average for each of the given months, and have been rounded to the nearest whole number. The figures do not reflect the fact that an aircraft assessed as not FFP may be returned to the front line at very short notice to meet the operational need.

Tornado Aircraft

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of Tornado GR4s are  (a) in service,  (b) in the forward fleet and  (c) fit for purpose by squadron.

Quentin Davies: The information requested is only measured across the entire fleet. The numbers of Tornado GR4 aircraft that are in service, in the forward available fleet (FAF) and considered fit for purpose (FFP) are detailed in the following table. FAF aircraft are those that are available to the front-line command for operational and training purposes; aircraft undergoing scheduled depth maintenance, or planned routine fleet maintenance are not included.
	Aircraft defined as FFP are those considered capable of carrying out their planned missions on a given date; this does not include aircraft undergoing short-term forward maintenance and other minor works. The FAF and FFP figures shown are the average for the month of October 2008, and have been rounded to the nearest whole number.
	
		
			  Tornado GR4  Number  Percentage 
			 Number of aircraft in total fleet 138 100 
			 Average number in forward fleet 102 74 
			 Average number fit for purpose 84 82 
		
	
	The figures do not reflect the fact that an aircraft assessed as not FFP may be returned to the front line at very short notice to meet the operational need.

Trident

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made, with reference to the Trident submarine replacement programme, of  (a) the adequacy of the contingency set aside,  (b) the robustness of the calculation of inflation over the programme lifetime and  (c) whether value-added tax will have to be paid for all or part of the expenditure on the programme.

Quentin Davies: In compiling the initial estimates of the procurement costs involved in sustaining our independent deterrent capability set out in the December 2006 White Paper: The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent (Cm 6994) the Ministry of Defence followed HM Treasury guidance and the figures recognise uncertainty and the tendency for costs to be underestimated. As the costs mature through the Concept phase, they will capture the interdependent nature of the costs of the different elements of the programme.
	Like the rest of Government, the MOD manages its finances so that inflation is taken into account. The figures set out in the White Paper are shown at 2006-07 prices but the Department's internal budgetary planning allows for the impact of inflation. The additional funding that the MOD received as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 settlement was provided on this basis.
	The Ministry of Defence has assumed that VAT will be zero-rated for the submarine platform in the same way it currently applies to the Astute programme. The actual tax treatment of all the elements of the programme cannot be determined until nearer the time the contracts are placed and the precise manner in which we will procure the programme elements has been determined. The associated risk that the current VAT treatment assumptions may change has been recognised in compiling the estimates for the programme.

OLYMPICS

Departmental Early Retirement

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many employees in her Office have taken early retirement since its inception; and at what total cost.

Tessa Jowell: Since its inception no employees in my Office have taken early retirement.

Olympic Games 2012: Ministry of Defence

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Minister for the Olympics whether the terms of reference set for KPMG in relation to its report on venue options for the 2012 Olympics included an instruction to hold discussions with the Ministry of Defence.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 20 November 2008
	KPMG was instructed to assist in the evaluation of the options analysis including for the use of the Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich as the venue for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games shooting competitions. As announced following the Olympic Board on 19 November, the KPMG report will be published but it will be necessary to ensure it does not contain commercially sensitive material.

HEALTH

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibility strategic health authorities have to manage the performance of primary care trust services commissioning in order to reduce harm from alcohol.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department's operating framework for 2008-11 describes the business processes required throughout the system to support delivery against national and local priorities, ensure local accountability and drive transformation for the benefit of patients. As part of the operating framework, the Department put in place a new vital signs indicator for the national health service from April 2008 that will measure change in the rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions.
	Primary care trusts (PCTs) need to choose, in consultation with local partners, which Tier 3 indicators to prioritise locally. 99 PCTs have chosen alcohol as a Tier 3 indicator. Assurance of this process must take place at local level, between the strategic health authority (SHA) and PCT.
	Where a PCT identifies reducing the rate of alcohol- related hospital admissions as a local priority, they will set annual plans to be jointly signed off by SHAs and in the case of any agreed local area agreement (LAA) priority, by the regional Government Office (GO). The Department's teams in each GO will work with the SHA to ensure this process is managed effectively in each region.
	The intention is that performance against all vital signs indicators will be published annually. This will allow a local population to understand how well or poorly their local PCT is performing across a range of commissioner responsibilities and will be part of local conversation between PCTs and their populations. PCTs will therefore want to track progress against all the vital signs indicators.

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what he plans to include within the new standardised codes for alcohol-related activity under NHS Connecting for Health; and when the codes will become active;
	(2)  what each of the current Read codes for alcohol-related activity is.

Ben Bradshaw: There are currently three different versions of Read codes (4byte, Version2, and Clinical Terms Version 3 - CTV3) in use within the national health service in England, and SNOMED CT which is the strategic terminology that is being deployed in new systems. All concepts authored in Read codes are simultaneously authored in SNOMED CT.
	A complete list of over 300 published Read codes relating to alcohol-related activity, listed according to the CTV3 preferred term, has been placed in the Library. These codes are available for use now.
	All versions of the Read codes and SNOMED CT are published bi-annually, in April and October. To date NHS Connecting for Health has received no further requests for additional coding to support the recording of alcohol-related activity for inclusion in the next scheduled release, planned for April 2009.

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to improve  (a) the quantity and  (b) quality of data on alcohol screening.

Dawn Primarolo: We have taken steps to enable primary care practitioners to record their work in alcohol identification and brief advice. New Read codes for general practitioners computing have been available since May 2008. This enables data to be collected locally and nationally.
	Work undertaken in future as part of the recently announced clinical Directed Enhanced Service (DES) for identification and brief advice for alcohol misuse for newly registered patients and as part of Locally Enhanced Services (LES) for additional adult groups in individual primary care trusts (PCTs) can be recorded using the new codes.
	Use of the new codes will enable PCTs and the Department to monitor how identification and brief advice is being taken up in primary care.

Asperger's Syndrome: Health Services

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department makes available to adults who have Asperger's syndrome.

Phil Hope: Better Services for people with an autistic spectrum disorder, published on 16 November 2006, clarified the nature and intent of Government policy as it relates to adults with an autistic spectrum condition (ASC) including Asperger's syndrome. It encourages people in the social care and health field to develop local agendas for action. A copy of the document has been placed in the Library.
	As part of our commitment to meeting the needs of people with ASCs, we announced, in May 2008, a programme of work which will lead to a strategy for adults with autism, including Asperger's syndrome, that we will consult on next year.

Carers: Tamworth

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people over the age of 60 were registered as carers in Tamworth constituency in each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave on 12 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1190W, to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) and the hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Mr. Evennett).

Christmas

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months.

Ben Bradshaw: The amount the Department spent on purchasing Christmas cards for 2007 (inclusive of VAT) was 4,478.27. This does not include postage costs which are not available due to some cards being included with other correspondence or being hand delivered.
	All expenditure incurred in the purchase and postage of Christmas cards is made in accordance with the Department's guidance on financial propriety, based on principles set out in Government Accounting.
	In respect of the cost of Christmas parties in the last 12 months, I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave on 22 October 2008,  Official Report, column 367W, to the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Prisk).
	In December 2007, the Department spent 2,755.65 on Christmas trees and decorations. This year's Christmas trees and decorations, paid for in October 2008, cost 2,966.68. These figures are inclusive of VAT.
	Information on what agencies spend on these items is not held centrally.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the effect on NHS costs of achieving full compliance by primary care trusts with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence appraisal TA97 on computerised cognitive behavioural therapy for depression and anxiety;
	(2)  what discussions officials from his Department have had with the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency on establishing a national contract for the purchase of treatments for the depression treatment beating the blues; and what estimate his Department has made of the potential change in cost to the NHS of this method of purchase compared with individual primary care trust commissioning.

Phil Hope: Departmental officials have recently met with the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, who are currently reviewing the National Framework Agreement which assists primary care trusts in their local commissioning decisions about purchasing licences for Beating the Blues. As these decisions are taken locally the Department does not determine the cost and volume of licences to be provided. In these circumstances, no national estimate can be made.
	However, there will be significant cost savings to the national health service by implementing Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services by reducing pressure on specialist psychology services in mental health trusts and reducing inappropriate referrals made to acute hospital trusts for people with medically unexplained symptoms.
	We also expect to see savings to the economy as a whole by these new services making a contribution to helping people with these conditions retain or return to employment, thus reducing the burden on the Exchequer for the cost of statutory sick pay and incapacity benefit.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many treatments of  (a) Beating the Blues and  (b) Fear Fighter primary care trusts have commissioned through the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency using the National Framework Agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: Since the introduction of National Framework Agreement in 2007, 55 primary care trusts have commissioned licences for 30,458 treatments for Beating the Blues.
	Due to the different pricing structure, it is not possible to provide the number of commissioned treatments for Fear Fighter. The licences sold under this arrangement are unlimited per primary care trust and are based on head of population. The product has currently been taken up by 38 primary care trusts providing the availability to the local population depending on need.

Dementia

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people with  (a) Alzheimer's disease and  (b) other forms of dementia in each (i) strategic health authority area and (ii) primary care trust area.

Phil Hope: The Department does not collect this information. However, the Dementia UK report, published in 2007 by the Alzheimer's Society, estimated that there were 683,997 people in the United Kingdom with dementia. The report also estimated that approximately 62 per cent. of people with dementia have Alzheimer's disease and that those with vascular dementia and mixed dementia account for 27 per cent.

Dental Services: Contracts

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of time was between the issue of invitations to tender and the initiation of work for NHS dental contracts in the last period for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally. Primary care trusts are responsible for commissioning dental services to meet the needs of their local populations and manage any tender exercises required locally.

Dental Services: Tamworth

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists there are per 1,000 people in Tamworth borough.

Ann Keen: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The number of dentists with national health service activity, during the years ending 31 March, 2007 and 2008 per 100,000 population is available in table G1 of annex 3 of the NHS Dental Statistics for England: 2007/08 report. Information is available by strategic health authority (SHA) and by primary care trust (PCT). This information is based on the new dental contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006.
	Following a recent consultation exercise, this measure is based on a revised methodology and therefore supersedes previously published work force figures relating to the new dental contractual arrangements. It is not comparable to the information collected under the old contractual arrangements. The revised methodology counts the number of dental performers with NHS activity recorded via FP17 claim forms in each year ending 31 March. This report, published on 21 August 2008, has already been placed in the Library and is on the website of the Information Centre for health and social care at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dental0708
	Figures relate to headcounts and do not differentiate between full-time and part-time dentists, nor do they account for the fact that some dentists may do more NHS work than others.

Departmental ICT

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) memory sticks,  (b) laptop computers,  (c) desktop computers,  (d) hard drives and  (e) mobile telephones were (i) lost by and (ii) stolen from his Department in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department does not differentiate between stolen, missing or lost equipment, or between memory sticks and other portable storage devices. The portable equipment lost or stolen for the period April 1997 to March 2008 is as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  Laptops lost/stolen  Mobile phones lost/stolen  Other IT equipment/peripherals  lost/stolen  Total items lost/stolen 
			 1997-98 23 19 38 80 
			 1998-99 19 19 37 75 
			 1999-2000 18 26 30 74 
			 2000-01 23 43 36 102 
			 2001-02 35 36 18 89 
			 2002-03 30 37 27 94 
			 2003-04 34 29 16 79 
			 2004-05 23 15 14 52 
			 2005-06 18 11 10 39 
			 2006-07 11 18 12 41 
			 2007-08 14 21 0 35 
			 Total 248 274 238 760 
		
	
	The Department takes the security and protection of its assets very seriously. Its policy and procedures are constantly reviewed and cases of losses or thefts are investigated. As a further deterrent, the Department marks its portable equipment with an invisible forensic dye called Smartwater. The Department's Security Unit continues to raise security awareness and physical protection of information technology equipment among its staff.

Departmental Information Officers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent press officers  (a) work and  (b) provide assistance for his Department.

Ben Bradshaw: As at April 2008 the Department's Media Centre employed 28 full-time press officers and no part-time press officers.
	In addition, as at April 2008 there were five full-time press officers and no part-time press officers working in the Department that are employed by the NHS Business Services Authority on behalf of NHS Connecting for Health.

Departmental Land

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much surplus land  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies own; and what the (i) area and (ii) estimated monetary value of each site is.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department owns approximately 80 hectares of land and buildings that has been identified as currently surplus to requirements. A disposal strategy is in place for each. The following is a list of the more substantial properties with their estimated land area. Their estimated value is commercially confidential. The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency do not have any surplus land.
	The information relating to the Department is in the following table:
	
		
			  Property  Estimated area (hectares) 
			 Laverneo, Grindon, Sunderland 0.05 
			 50 Scattergate Green, Appleby 0.05 
			 Eagle Cottages, Jarrow 0.05 
			 Land at Morton Banks, Keighley 2.42 
			 Northern View, Bradford 2.89 
			 White Hart, Harrogate 0.33 
			 Warwick Cottage, Melton Mowbray 0.10 
			 Land at Victoria Hospital, Worksop 0.44 
			 Lakeview Close, Walsall 1.51 
			 Land at Crone Hills, West Bromwich 0.05 
			 Land at Wellington Hospital, Telford 0.10 
			 Land at Gloucester Fields, St. Albans 0.49 
			 Part Harperbury Hospital, Radlett 36.8 
			 Land at Harps Close, Sudbury 1.30 
			 Land at Harwich Hospital, Harwich 0.76 
			 Part Little Plumstead Hospital, Norwich 12.60 
			 Former Hinchingbroke Health Centre, Huntingdon 0.72 
			 Rope Walk House, St. Neots 0.05 
			 Land at Napsbury, St. Albans 9.08 
			 St. James' Court, Balham 0.24 
			 Dog Kennel Wood, Maidstone 2.15 
			 Garratt Lane, Wandsworth 0.05 
			 10 Palmer Crescent, Ottershaw 0.05 
			 22-38 Princes Road, Redhill 0.17 
			 Blackbrook House, Fareham 1.24 
			 63/65 Bardsley Drive, Fareham 0.05 
			 Oaklands, Plymouth 0.05 
			 Farm Lane House, Plymouth 0.05 
			 Halcyon House, Plymouth 0.05 
			 Woodside Car Park, Plymouth 0.11 
			 332 High Road, Tottenham 0.05 
			 Land at St. Georges Hospital, Hornchurch 3.10

Departmental NDPBs

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department; and what budget each has been set for  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department publishes details of its public bodies on an annual basis. The latest version, Public Bodies 2007 is available on the Appointments Commission website at:
	http://www.appointments.org.uk/publications.asp.
	A copy has been placed in the Library.
	The 2008-09 budgets for the executive non-departmental public bodies (ENDPBs) are:
	
		
			  2008-09 Recurrent Budgets 
			  000 
			   Near cash  Non case 
			 Alcohol Education and Research Council 0 0 
			 Appointments Commission 3,521 50 
			 Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence 1,950 110 
			 Commission for Social Care Inspection 41,349 15,400 
			 General Social Care Council 8,529 2,158 
			 Healthcare Commission 45,513 3,400 
			 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority 2,405 351 
			 Health Protection Agency 148,943 22,700 
			 Human Tissue Authority 738 428 
			 Monitor 12,657 0 
			 National Biological Standards Board 12,416 6,184 
			 Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board 1,793 250 
		
	
	The advisory non-departmental public bodies (ANDPBs) sponsored by the Department incur little or no expenditure and are resourced from within the Department. As a result, information on budgets for 2008-09 is not available.
	No decisions have yet been made on the ENDPB budgets for 2009-10 and 2010-11 onwards.

Diabetes: Children

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children under the age of 16 years have type 1 diabetes in  (a) Winchester and the Meon Valley,  (b) Hampshire and  (c) England.

Ann Keen: Data on the number of children under the age of 16 years with diabetes in Winchester and the Meon Valley and Hampshire are not collected centrally.
	At a national level, exact figures for the number of children diagnosed with and treated for diabetes are not available. However, estimates suggest that approximately 20,000 children are currently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in England.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the use of the anti-opiate drug buprenorphine/naloxone; whether any assessments has been undertaken of buprenorphine/naloxone where the comparator was buprenorphine alone; and what benefits were detected;
	(2)  what assessment the NHS has made of whether buprenorphine/naloxone is regarded as having any advantages over buprenorphine alone in helping patients recover from the physical and behavioural aspects of opioid dependence; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) provides independent guidance on public health, health technologies and clinical practice, including the use of drugs by the national health service.
	In January 2007 NICE published the 'Technology Appraisal' Methadone and buprenorphine for managing opioid dependence, which recommended the use of both methadone and buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid dependence. However, this appraisal did not consider Suboxone, a newer product which combines buprenorphine and naloxone.
	In 2007, the independent expert group commissioned to develop the United Kingdom clinical guidelines on the management of substance misuse considered the available research evidence on prescribing of Suboxone and the limited clinical experience in the UK. Their considered advice is included in the four UK Health Departments' publication, Drug misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management, published in September 2007 (a copy of which has already been placed in the Library), and can be found at:
	http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Substancemisuse/Substancemisusegeneralinformation/DH_4064342
	As with all new medicines, Suboxone's exact place in treatment is still being established, although the Department's clarification of August 2007 that Suboxone can be dispensed using existing instalment dispensing arrangements may have removed a possible barrier to the availability of Suboxone.
	Both Suboxone and buprenorphine are available on the national health service. The decision to use either drug is a clinical one, taken following consultation with the patient about their clinical needs and priorities.

Food: Imports

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what rules his Department applies to the labelling of food and food products imported from  (a) Israel,  (b) Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories,  (c) Israeli-controlled areas of the Palestinian territories and  (d) areas of the Palestinian territories under the control of the Palestinian Authority; whether he plans to make any changes to those rules; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Country of origin information is legally required for certain foods (fresh or frozen beef, veal, fish and shellfish, wine, honey, olive oil and most fresh fruit and vegetables). For other foods, the EC food labelling directive (2000/13/EC) requires an indication of the place of origin of a food if failure to give it might mislead a purchaser to a material degree about its true origin or provenance. These rules are implemented by the UK Food Labelling Regulations 1996.
	The Government consider that it would be considered to be misleading to declare produce from the Occupied Palestinian Territories as produce of Israel. We also consider that goods labelled as 'produce of the west bank' should indicate to consumers whether they are buying goods from a Palestinian producer in the west bank or from an illegal Israeli settlement in the west bank. The Government are currently considering the development of voluntary guidance for retailers and manufacturers on clearer labelling on products from illegal Israeli settlements.

General Practitioners

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many copies of his Department's guidance and competencies for the provision of services using GPs with Special Interests: dermatology and skin surgery, have been printed; what the budget for distribution of the documents is; what criteria were used for the dissemination of the documents to  (a) commissioners of services,  (b) general practitioners and  (c) other clinicians and health professionals; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department's current guidance document, 'Guidance and Competencies for the Provision of Services using GPs with Special Interests', was published on the Department's website in April 2007, and publicised through the websites of the British Association of Dermatology, Primary Care Contracting and other routes. A small number of copies on CD were made available at the launch event. There is no budget for distribution of the guidance in hard copy. A copy has been placed in the Library.
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_074665

General Practitioners: Pharmacy

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to take steps to minimise variations in service specifications across primary care trust areas in implementing proposals set out in the Pharmacy White Paper.

Phil Hope: The White Paper Pharmacy in England: Building on StrengthsDelivering the Future, set out the Government's proposals to strengthen commissioning in pharmacy and recognised that primary care trusts' (PCTs) local needs assessments are a valuable part of that process. It also recognised that there was considerable variation in the scope, depth and breadth of pharmaceutical needs assessments developed by PCTs to identify local needs and that they required further review and strengthening to ensure they are an effective and robust commissioning tool.
	To help implement this, NHS Employers has been developing an appropriate support programme for PCTs. Guidance is expected to be finalised in the near future.

Health Centres

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 83W, on health centres, for what reasons he has not asked primary care trusts to assess the expected  (a) volume of activity and  (b) local demand prior to opening a health centre.

Ben Bradshaw: Primary care trusts are planning the delivery and location of the general practitioner-led health centres and the services each will offer based on local health needs assessments and following an affordability and demand planning exercise which includes estimating the volume of patient activity required to meet expected capacity of the new service tendered for.

Health Education

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health trainers there are in each primary care trust (PCT); and how many people have been helped by health trainers in each PCT in the last 12 months.

Ann Keen: Figures are not available centrally in the precise form requested.
	In April 2008 there were 3,657 health trainers (individuals not whole-time equivalents) employed, funded, or supported by the national health service in primary care trust (PCT) areas.
	Data on the number of clients seen by health trainers are not available centrally for all PCTs on a consistent or comprehensive basis.
	The following table shows the distribution of health trainers between PCTs.
	
		
			  Numbers of health trainers in England by primary care trust in April 2008 
			   Number 
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan 78 
			 Barking and Dagenham 94 
			 Barnsley Primary Care Trust 11 
			 Bath and North East Somerset Health Trainer Service 8 
			 Bedfordshire 15 
			 Berkshire West 6 
			 Bexley HT project 65 
			 Birmingham East and North Primary Care Trust 13 
			 Blackpool 74 
			 Blackpool with Darwen 29 
			 Bolton 58 
			 Bradford District Health Trainer Service 84 
			 Brent HT programme 126 
			 Bridlington Health Trainers 17 
			 Brighton and Hove 48 
			 Bristol Health Trainers 23 
			 Buckinghamshire 0 
			 Bury 66 
			 Calderdale Community Health Trainers 12 
			 Camden 13 
			 Central and Eastern Cheshire 0 
			 Central Lancashire PCT HT Service 11 
			 Change of HeartNottingham City PCT 59 
			 Connect 4 life, Tameside and Glossop PCT 18 
			 Cornwall Health Trainer Service 28 
			 County Durham PCT Health Trainer Service 94 
			 Coventry PCT 20 
			 Cumbria 49 
			 Derby City 0 
			 Derby County 117 
			 Devon 40 
			 Doncaster PCT 32 
			 Dudley Health Trainer service 0 
			 Ealing 30 
			 East and Coastal Kent 121 
			 East Lancashire 129 
			 East Sussex Downs and Weald 0 
			 Enfield 14 
			 Gateshead HT Partnership 50 
			 Gloucestershire PCT 0 
			 Great Yarmouth 10 
			 Greenwich teaching PCT 140 
			 HaltonReach for the Stars Health Trainer Service 26 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 8 
			 Hampshire PCT 16 
			 Hartlepool Health Trainer Service 8 
			 Hastings HT service 12 
			 Havering 0 
			 Health Lifestyle coachingReading 9 
			 Health Trainer ServiceWorcestershire PCT 9 
			 Heart of Birmingham 27 
			 Herefordshire Primary Care Trust: Health Trainer Service 0 
			 HIV Health Support 4 
			 Hounslow 80 
			 HT North Tyneside 32 
			 Hull Health Trainer Service 32 
			 Isle of Wight HT service 39 
			 Islington 12 
			 Knowsley 21 
			 Lambeth PCT HT 36 
			 Leeds NHS Health Trainers 39 
			 Leicester City 8 
			 Leicester county and Rutland 9 
			 Lewisham HT Scheme 1 
			 Lincolnshire 31 
			 Liverpool 44 
			 Luton 0 
			 Manchester 40 
			 Medway 0 
			 Mid Essex 11 
			 Middlesbrough PCT and Redcar and Cleveland PCT 21 
			 Milton Keynes 0 
			 Newcastle Community HT 37 
			 Norfolk 64 
			 North East Essex 0 
			 North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus (CTP) 197 
			 North Kirklees Health Trainers/Huddersfield Health Trainers 19 
			 North Lancaster 0 
			 North Lincolnshire PCT 30 
			 North Somerset PCT, Health Trainer service 4 
			 North Staffs PCT 0 
			 North Tees 26 
			 North Yorkshire and York PCT 37 
			 Northamptonshire 40 
			 Northumberland 49 
			 Nottinghamshire County and Bassetlaw 21 
			 Oxfordshire 10 
			 Peterborough 43 
			 Portsmouth HT 24 
			 Rochdale Boroughwide HT service 25 
			 Rotherham NHS Health Trainers 61 
			 Salford Community Health Trainers 20 
			 Sandwell PCT 29 
			 Sefton 60 
			 Sheffield PCT 0 
			 Solihull Care Trust 1 
			 Somerset PCT 7 
			 South Birmingham PCT Health Trainer Service 0 
			 South East Essex 0 
			 South Staffs PCT 38 
			 South Tyneside 12 
			 South West Essex 0 
			 Southampton City PCT HT Service 50 
			 Southwark 56 
			 St. HelensChoices Health Trainers 51 
			 Steps to HealthHT programme, Oldham Community Health Services 30 
			 Stockport 11 
			 Stoke on Trent Lifestyle Support Programme 0 
			 Suffolk 2 
			 Sunderland HT Service 38 
			 Surrey 8 
			 Telford Wrekin Primary Care Trust 4 
			 The Swindon Health Ambassador Scheme 0 
			 Torbay 6 
			 Tower Hamlets HT Pilot Programme 27 
			 Wakefield District Primary Care Trust 67 
			 Walsall Health Trainer Service 15 
			 Warwickshire 15 
			 West Essex (Epping Forest) 3 
			 West Kent 0 
			 West Sussex 3 
			 Western Cheshire 7 
			 Westminster HT programme 29 
			 Wiltshire PCT 4 
			 Wirral PCT Health Trainer Programme 0 
			 Wolverhampton 0 
			 Total 3,657 
			  Notes: These data are based on returns from the National Implementation Team provided in order to track progress and not central returns to the Department. Number of health trainers: 1. Presently health trainers are not included in the NHS workforce survey. 2. The numbers of health trainers are people but not whole-time equivalents. 3. They are not necessarily employed by the NHS. 4. They are not necessarily funded wholly by the NHS.

Health Services: Foreigners

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much was spent on providing assistance with health care costs to  (a) foreign nationals and  (b) higher education students through the HC2 form in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many  (a) foreign nationals and  (b) higher education students (i) applied for and (ii) received assistance with health care costs in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: This information is not collected centrally.

Health Services: Low Incomes

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that the HC1 claim form can be downloaded from the internet.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has asked the prescription pricing division of the national health service business services authority to look at how the service for NHS low income scheme customers can be improved. Options being considered include on-line form completion and downloadable forms.

Health Services: Low Incomes

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the  (a) change in cost to callers and  (b) revenue generated for his Department as a result of changing the telephone number for ordering an HC1 form from an 0300 to an 0845 number.

Ben Bradshaw: There has been no change in the cost to callers requesting an HC1 form as it has never been available from an 0300 number. HC1 forms are only available from the national health service forms order line on 0845 610 1112. No income is generated from incoming telephone calls to this number.
	The prescription pricing division of the NHS business services authority is currently reviewing the relative costs and benefits of alternatives to the 0845 number currently in use.

Health Services: Manchester

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of administering the concessionary scheme for patients when the Greater Manchester congestion charge scheme is implemented.

Ben Bradshaw: No estimate has been made of the costs of administering concessionary schemes for patients should the proposed Greater Manchester congestion charge scheme be implemented.
	A Greater Manchester National Health Service Transport Innovation Fund Working Group has been established that will further develop the arrangements proposed for the reimbursement of those attending medical appointments. The working group is committed to ensuring that any discount scheme is fair and equitable for people who need to attend health care facilities. The group will continue to incorporate the views and perspectives of NHS organisations from across Greater Manchester and will also progress work on the administration of any reimbursement scheme that is introduced.
	The guiding principle will be that administration costs must be minimal with respect to staff time and that technological developments should be optimised to ensure that there is no unnecessary bureaucracy at trust sites.
	The people of Greater Manchester will be able to vote on the Greater Manchester Innovation Fund Proposals in a referendum to be held on 11 December 2008.

Health Services: Overseas Students

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether his Department plans to review the provision of health care to non-EU students in higher education;
	(2)  whether his Department plans to review the provision of health care to foreign students.

Dawn Primarolo: Students from overseas who are in the United Kingdom for the purpose of pursuing a full-time course of study of at least six months' duration, or a course of any length which is substantially funded by the United Kingdom Government, are currently exempt from charges for hospital treatment. There are no plans to review this arrangement.
	In conjunction with the Home Office, the Department is currently reviewing access to national health service health care by foreign nationals. Among other things, the review will consider access to primary medical services for all students from overseas. A full public consultation on this review will take place next year.

Health Services: Overseas Visitors

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the outcomes of his review of access to the NHS by foreign nationals.

Ann Keen: The review of access to the national health service by foreign nationals, which is currently being conducted jointly by the Department and the Home Department, has taken longer than expected due to the complex and inter-connecting issues under consideration. A full public consultation exercise will be undertaken early next year.

Health Services: Parliamentary Questions

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for which statistics relating to  (a) hospitals,  (b) maternity units and  (c) other health services in England, about which information has been sought by means of parliamentary questions in the current Session, his Department has answered that such information is not collected centrally.

Ben Bradshaw: Answers which state that information is not collected centrally are a matter of public record, available in the  Official Report, but are not identified separately by the Department in its own systems. Therefore, to check all such answers sent this session would involve disproportionate cost.
	The Department maintains rigorous procedures to ensure that it collects the most valuable statistical information. Information collected from the national health service by the Department is subject to a process called the Review of Central Returns. This seeks to ensure that information collected fits with national policies for health, does not duplicate existing collections, and minimises the burden to the NHS. Further details are available on the NHS Information Centre's website at:
	http://www.ic.nhs.uk/services/the-review-of-central-returns-rocr

Health Services: Prisoners

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the standard of health care for prisoners in England and Wales in comparison to that received outside prisons through the National Health Service.

Phil Hope: With regard to England, health services in prisons are monitored on three main fronts.
	Within prisons, her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) undertake both announced and unannounced inspections of prison establishments, from which reports are produced and progress monitored. Health services to prisoners are included in these inspection visits. HMIP have worked closely with the Healthcare Commission to ensure that national health service standards relating to primary health trusts (PCTs) commissioning of health services in custody reflect the standards expected by all NHS organisations. Both organisations have a memorandum of understanding to support work in this area.
	The Department has developed a range of prison health performance indicators to assess NHS standards of services provided in custody to support commissioners to measure these services against those that would generally be provided in the community. These new performance standards were introduced in 2008 across the prison estate with a 98 per cent. completion rate. These reports are supported at the strategic health authority level and allow for local monitoring and service development. The reports also enable comparison across establishments of the same size, same type of prison and same expected activity.
	The Independent Monitoring Boards in each establishment provide an annual report highlighting progress and any concerns. Health care is included in this report. Both PCTs and the Department are expected to provide responses to any health issues including any action plans to improve services.
	Health services in prisons in Wales are a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government.

Hearing Aid Council

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Hearing Aid Council to be disbanded.

Phil Hope: We are working towards the required secondary legislation to allow the closure of the Hearing Aid Council and the transfer of its register to the Health Professions Council in March 2010.

Hospitals: Infectious Diseases

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health care-acquired infections there were in each primary care trust area in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: The information requested is not available. The mandatory surveillance system in England applies to national health service acute trusts and data on primary care trusts are not currently compiled.

Human Papilloma Virus: Vaccination

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many girls in each local authority area have opted out of receiving the human papilloma virus vaccination.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department does not collect these data centrally.

IVF: Costs

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to the NHS in each of the next 10 years of mandatory guidance on in-vitro fertilisation produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Dawn Primarolo: Primary care trusts (PCTs) are making progress towards the implementation of the recommendations in the clinical guideline produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in 2004. We have estimated that the cost of funding up to three cycles of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in all PCTs is in the region of 170 million a year above the cost of the present level of provision. The estimate is subject to considerable uncertainty; it does not take into account recent progress made towards the full implementation of the NICE fertility guideline, for example in the East of England strategic health authority, and it varies with differing assessments of factors such as the number of people seeking treatment in the future and the range of costs of IVF treatment.

Maternity Services: Manpower

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of each of the most recent local maternity workforce plans submitted to his Department by strategic health authorities.

Ann Keen: The most recent local maternity workforce plans submitted to the Department by strategic health authorities (SHAs) were interim plans in February 2008 and these plans may have changed following ongoing work with primary care trust (PCTs) and providers. A summary of the local maternity workforce plans is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Summary of SHA Midwifery Workforce Plans, February 2008 
			  Headcount 
			  SHA  2006  2007  2009  2012  Change 2006 to 2009  Percentage change 2006-09  Change 2006 to 2012  Percentage  change  Plan signed off 
			 East Midlands 1,703 1,692 1,792 1,942 89 5.23 239 14.03 Yes 
			 East of England 2,326 2,380 2,439 2,586 113 4.86 260 11.18 Yes 
			 London 4,301 4,188 4,402 4,720 101 2.35 419 9.74 Yes 
			 North East 1,272 1,284 1,323 1,390 51 4.01 118 9.28 Yes 
			 North West 3,949 4,030 4,193 4,437 244 6.18 488 12.36 Yes 
			 South Central 1,550 1,787 1,855 2,329 305 19.68 779 50.26 Yes 
			 South East Coast 1,760 1,808 2,368 2,538 608 34.55 778 44.20% Yes 
			 South West 2,370 2,344 2,556 2,875 186 7.85 505 21.31 Yes 
			 West Midlands 2,770 2,750 2,924 3,063 154 5.56 293 10.58 Yes 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 2,443 2,460 2,492 2,644 49 2.01 201 8.23 Yes 
			 England total 24,444 24,723 26,344 28,524 1,900 7.77 4,080 16.69  
		
	
	
		
			  FTE 
			  SHA  2006  2007  2009  2012  Change 2006 to 2009  Percentage change 2006 to 2009  Change 2006 to 2012  Percentage change 2006 to 2012  Plan signed off 
			 East Midlands 1,293 1,325 1,379 1,475 86 6.65 182 14.08 Yes 
			 East of England 1,740 1,780 1,824 1,935 84 4.83 195 11.21 Yes 
			 London 3,436 3,532 3.712 3,980 276 8.03 544 15.83 Yes 
			 North East 1,003 1,014 1,045 1,098 42 4.19 95 9.47 Yes 
			 North West 3,138 3,219 3,382 3,626 244 7.78 488 15.55 Yes 
			 South Central 1,145 1,278 1,326 1,690 181 15.81 545 47.60 Yes 
			 South East Coast 1,325 1,361 1,783 1,910 458 34.57 585 44.15 Yes 
			 South West 1,774 1,760 1,924 2,164 150 8.46 390 21.98 Yes 
			 West Midlands 2,092 2,136 2,282 2,393 190 9.08 301 14.39 Yes 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 1,904 1,918 1,942 2,061 38 2.00 157 8.25 Yes 
			 England total 18,850 19,323 20,599 22,332 1,749 9.28 3,482 18.47  
			  Note:  These figures were taken from individual SHA Maternity and Neo-natal workforce plans returned to the Department in February 2008. In addition, 2007 figures do not reflect the latest NHS Workforce Census Data. The 2006 figures are published data from the NHS Workforce Census.

Multiple Sclerosis: Drugs

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 28 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 919-20W, on multiple sclerosis: drugs, what factors his Department considered when deciding not to publish Annex C of the ScHARR report; if he will place in the Library a full copy of the report; how many of the 5,000 patients subject to routine monitoring are still taking any of the drugs covered by the scheme; in which peer-reviewed medical journal the results of the two-year analysis will be published; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The Department considered a range of factors in deciding not to publish Annex C of the ScHARR report. These included the commercially confidential nature of the material in the annex. The ScHARR report was submitted to the Department as a summary of the work undertaken on the scheme. We have no plans to publish a full copy of the report or place it in the Library. A great majority of the 5,000 patients monitored in the risk sharing scheme are still taking the drugs covered by the scheme. Fuller details of patient numbers will be included in the forthcoming two-year analysis. Arrangements are being made for the publication of this analysis but it has yet to be accepted for publication in a specific journal.

National Health Service: Telephone Numbering

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has considered changing its 084 telephone numbers to 03 numbers in the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: An information gathering exercise has been completed on the use of 084 telephone numbers in general practice. As part of that exercise, the merits of 03 numbers have also been considered.
	The information gathered has been subject to lengthy and detailed analysis before being shared with Ministers, who are currently deciding on the most appropriate course of action. In the meantime, the Department remains clear that it does not expect patients to pay more than the equivalent cost of a local rate call when contacting their general practitioner.

NHS Direct

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what parties were consulted prior to the decision being taken that NHS Direct will not be granted foundation trust status;
	(2)  what plans his Department has to review the future operation of NHS Direct following the decision that it will not become a foundation trust;
	(3)  what reasons have been given to his Department for the decision by NHS Direct not to pursue foundation trust status; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department of Health and NHS Direct jointly commissioned KPMG to look at options for a future model for commissioning and delivering a multi-channel health information and advice service to the public. The review also considered whether foundation trust was an appropriate organisational form for NHS Direct.
	In the course of the review, KPMG consulted representatives from:
	the Department;
	NHS Direct;
	the NHS including: East Midlands Strategic Health Authority, Nottingham City Primary Care Trust, Birmingham East and North Primary Care Trust, Yorkshire Ambulance Trust, London Ambulance Service, Wolverhampton Primary Care Trust, Trafford Primary Care Trust, NHS Direct Wales, North East SHA, South West Ambulance Trust, East of England Primary Care Trust, NHS Blood and Transplant, Devon Doctors; and
	external organisations including Pfizer Health Solutions UK.
	The review concluded, among other things, that foundation trust status was not the right organisational model for NHS Direct at the current time. The recommendations were that NHS Direct's current status as an NHS trust should be retained for now until financial and contracting mechanisms are reviewed and agreed and foundation trust policy on national organisations is clarified. This does not preclude NHS Direct from reapplying for foundation trust status in the future. All parties agreed to accept the recommendations.
	The Department continues its ongoing discussions with NHS Direct about future operational and organisation form, taking into account factors such as NHS Choices and the Government's wider work on digital technology.

NHS: Cleaning Services

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been cancelled in the Leeds Health Authority area due to surgical equipment being inadequately sterilised in each of the last two years; and what estimate he has made of the cost of those cancellations to the NHS.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally and no estimate of cost can be made.
	The Government's cancelled operations policy introduced in April 2002 provides an incentive for hospitals to avoid cancellations by giving patients the right to move to the hospital of their choice if they are not treated within 28 days. Since this came into force, the number of operations cancelled at the last minute has fallen from 1.5 per cent. to 0.9 per cent. of elective activity.

NHS: Cleaning Services

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the value is of the contract awarded to the private sector company to carry out surgical equipment sterilisation in the Leeds Health Authority.

Ann Keen: The Department does not hold the information requested.
	The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is part of a collaboration for decontamination services with Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. Each trust has a separate contract with B. Braun Sterilog.

NHS: Drugs

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to paragraph 3.18 of the report to him by the National Cancer Director, Improving access to medicines for NHS patients; which NHS organisations  (a) did and  (b) did not maintain that a patient who purchases an additional private drug for a condition is no longer entitled to NHS care for that condition.

Ben Bradshaw: Professor Richards' review did not assess whether the existing guidance had been applied appropriately, but instead sought to develop a view on whether it was sufficiently comprehensive or clear to provide a useful resource for the national health service in the future.
	Professor Richards found that there was too much variation across the country in the way the guidance was being applied. This is why the Secretary of State issued, on 4 November, revised guidance for consultation which makes clear that patients wishing to purchase additional private care should not have their NHS care withdrawn. A copy of the guidance has been placed in the Library.

NHS: Drugs

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of all submissions made to Professor Mike Richards' review reported on in Improving access to medicines for NHS patients.

Alan Johnson: Professor Mike Richards published, as part of his report Improving access to medicines for NHS patients, a summary of the views he heard as part of his comprehensive engagement exercise, including a summary of the mailbox responses. This can be found at appendix 2 of his report.

NHS: Drugs

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of the evidence referred to in paragraph 2.17 of Improving access to medicines for NHS patients; if he will list the criteria used to demonstrate cost-effectiveness; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I understand that the evidence referred to by Professor Richards in paragraph 2.17 of his report includes appraisals conducted by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) such as NICE's appraisals of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of trastuzumab (Herceptin) for both early-stage and advanced HER2-positive breast cancer.
	Information relating to these appraisals is available on NICE's website at:
	www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/TA107
	(early-stage)
	and
	www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/TA34
	(advanced).

NHS: Drugs

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to implement recommendation 1 of Improving access to medicines for NHS patients; with regard to what specific steps he will take to publish updated timetables; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the oral statement made by the Secretary of State for Health on 4 November 2008,  Official Report, column 131.

NHS: Drugs

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the average number of treatments involving the off-label usage of a drug  (a) provided and  (b) denied to patients in the latest period for which information is available; what steps his Department plans to take to assist primary care trusts to make decisions on funding off-label usage of drugs; whether his Department plans to discuss with (i) the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and (ii) the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency the funding of off-label usage of drugs; what timetable he has set for implementing Recommendation 4 of Improving access to medicines for NHS patients; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: We have made no estimate of the annual number of such treatments and we have no plans to discuss the funding of such treatments with either the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence or the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
	The NHS chief executive wrote to strategic health authority chief executives on 4 November 2008 to ask them to review, by April 2009, the way in which PCTs in their area collaborate to support effective decision-making on funding treatments. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library. Strategic health authorities are now taking this piece of work forward in their areas.

NHS: Drugs

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what timetable he has set for implementing Recommendation 11 of Improving access to medicines for NHS patients; which organisations his Department plans to commission to conduct the recommended audit; whether he plans to publish the results; whether he plans to repeat the audit; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked Professor Mike Richards to lead the implementation of recommendation 11 of his report, Improving access to medicines on the NHS, and Professor Richards is currently considering the best approach to this piece of work. A copy of this report has already been placed in the Library.

NHS: Drugs

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to Appendix 1 of Improving access to medicines for NHS patients; for what reasons his Department did not request that all primary care trusts respond to his Department's survey on the use of exceptional funding procedures; which primary care trusts provided  (a) full and  (b) partial responses; what assessment he has made of the reasons for six primary care trusts providing partial responses; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State deliberately set a challenging time scale for the review in order to minimise the period of uncertainty for patients, while still allowing Professor Richards enough time to consider these difficult issues properly.
	In light of the need to gather evidence as quickly as possible, primary care trusts (PCTs) were given a tighter deadline for responding to this survey than is normal, and the deadline for responding was over the summer period. This meant that some PCTs were unable to respond. However, Professor Richards was confident that the data collected from the 80 PCTS who did respond fully were representative of the picture across the country. For example, the results of the Department of Health survey are consistent with a survey conducted by the Rarer Cancers Forum, the results of which are set out in chapter 2 of Professor Richards' report, Improving access to medicines for NHS patients. A copy of the report has already been placed in the Library.

NHS: Drugs

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to Appendix 1 of Improving access to medicines for NHS patients; which  (a) cancer and  (b) non-cancer treatments were applied for through exceptional circumstances requests in 2008; and how many exceptional circumstances requests were (a) made and (b) approved for each treatment.

Ben Bradshaw: This information is not held centrally. The survey of primary care trusts conducted by the Department to inform Professor Richards' review did not ask for details of specific treatments requested for exceptional funding in order to keep the administrative burden on the national health service to a minimum. Appendix 1 of the report, Improving access to medicines for NHS patients (a copy of which has already been placed in the Library), sets out the data held by the Department as a result of this survey.

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what  (a) hardware and  (b) software has been deployed to trusts under the National Programme for IT, broken down by trust; and how much the equipment in each deployment cost.

Ben Bradshaw: Comprehensive detailed information on the hardware and software deployed to each trust, broken down by individual trust, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Of total payments made to local service providers to 30 September 2008, the sum of one-off payments, representing deployments, and recorded as capital in the Department's accounts, amounts to 758 million.

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the unitary cost for each  (a) small,  (b) medium and  (c) large trust under the National Programme for IT is; and what payments local service providers have (i) received and (ii) are owed for deployments in respect of each trust, broken down by size of trust.

Ben Bradshaw: The value of local service provider contracts under the national programme for information technology, and entitlement to payment under the contracts, is based on the provision of systems and services that will meet the agreed requirements set out in the contracts. The sums concerned are linked to the type and mix of systems and services deployed at each site as well as the size of the trust receiving the deployment. It is therefore not possible to ascribe a single 'unitary cost' to national health service trusts according to whether they are small, medium or large.
	Payments are not 'owed' to local service providers. Payments are made following local confirmation of successful deployment by the trust, when a one-off payment is made. A recurring service charge is paid monthly thereafter.
	Of total payments made to 30 September 2008, the sum of one-off payments, representing deployments, amounts to 758 million.

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what deployment  (a) in total and  (b) of Cerner BT has made at (i) the Homerton Hospital NHS Trust and (ii) the Newham University Hospital NHS Trust; and what payment BT has received for the deployments.

Ben Bradshaw: Under its national programme for information technology (NPfIT) local service provider (LSP) contract, BT assumed responsibilities for the services already contracted for between Cerner and the Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Newham University Hospital Trust. Under the contract 5 million has been paid to BT in respect of each of the trusts to take over service management responsibility for the deployed Cerner Millennium systems.
	Details of other deployments at the trusts and payments to BT are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   System  Payment () 
			 Newham ESAP (1) 
			  MOM (2) 
			  PSC (3) 
			  PACS(4) 1,199,411 
			
			 Homerton ESAP (1) 
			  MOM (2) 
			  PSC (3) 
			  PACS(4) 1,018,271 
			 1 ESAP (electronic single assessment process): deployment testing has not been completed for either trust, and no payment has yet been made. (2 )MOM (map of medicine): a single deployment charge of 6,975,275 was paid in July 2007 to cover all London NHS organisations rather than as unit cost per organisation. (3 )PSC (pharmacy stock control): this is an additional service commissioned and paid for directly by the trusts and not via NPfIT. (4 )PACS : picture archiving and communications system

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much Connecting for Health paid for the deployment of PACS, broken down by trust.

Ben Bradshaw: The deployment costs of picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) provided under national programme for information technology contracts were paid locally by national health service trusts. The Department's expenditure on PACS has been primarily on central development costs and the cost of central data stores.

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanism  (a) Connecting for Health and  (b) the London Programme for IT use for (i) price deployments and (ii) transfer payment to the local service provider.

Ben Bradshaw: The value of local service provider contracts under the national programme for information technology, and entitlement to payment under the contracts, is based on the provision of systems and services that will meet the agreed requirements set out in the contracts. The sums concerned are not directly linked to the cost of hardware, software or other supplier costs.
	The price payable for deployment of each of the elements of the contracted services is set by agreement with suppliers relative to other elements of the services and to the benefit of that element to the national health service. A one-off payment is made following confirmation of successful deployment by the trust, and then a recurring service charge is paid monthly thereafter.
	Funds are transferred via the bankers' automated clearing system following receipt of invoices from the local service provider.

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the funds for each of Connecting for Health's contracts is allocated to  (a) design, development and testing and  (b) final deployment.

Ben Bradshaw: Payment to prime contractors for systems and services deployed under national programme for information technology contracts is only made after 45 days of live running, and on the basis that no significant operational problems have been experienced. There is no entitlement to payment for completion of the design, development and testing phases.

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what extent the payments to suppliers under Connecting for Health contracts are tied to completion of work commissioned.

Ben Bradshaw: Payments to suppliers under the national programme for information technology contracts are tied to successful delivery and acceptance of an agreed service. Payments may also be made for the provision of the infrastructure to support the services being delivered and, in line with Treasury rules, to aid with suppliers' capital costs in return for a reduction in the future payment for successful delivery. In that case there is no overall increase in the cost of the services.

NHS: Information and Communications Technology

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which  (a) Ministers and  (b) heads of NHS IT have been responsible for the Cerner systems; over what periods each such person was responsible for the systems; and what meetings (i) have been held and (ii) are planned between the responsible Ministers or heads of NHS IT and hospital trusts on the systems;
	(2)  which part of the NHS has responsibility for funding additional costs arising from the introduction and running of NHS IT Cerner systems in hospital trusts.

Ben Bradshaw: Under the national programme for information technology (NPfIT) it is the responsibility of the local service providers (LSPs) to manage the delivery of systems and services to the contracted timetables and for the management of their sub-contractors and suppliers, of which Cerner is one. The Department assesses progress against plans and manages the relationship and commercial arrangements with suppliers to ensure that national health service requirements are being met.
	Ministerial responsibility for NPfIT over the period has been as follows:
	John Hutton: Inception of NPfIT to May 2005;
	Lord Warner: May 2005 to December 2006;
	Lord Hunt: January 2007 to June 2007: and
	Myself as Minister of State for Health Services: July 2007 to present.
	Day-to-day responsibility for NPfIT currently lies with Martin Bellamy as director of programme and system delivery accountable to Ministers for the strategic direction of the programme and for management of the contracts between the Department and LSPs. Mr. Bellamy took up his post in September 2008. Prior to his appointment, responsibility lay with Gordon Hextall, chief operating officer, from January 2008, following the departure of the then director general of NHS IT, Richard Granger. Mr. Granger was appointed, at the inception of the national programme, in October 2002.
	No meetings have to date been held, or are currently planned, between Ministers and trust officials specifically relating to the systems. Responsibility for deployments, including planning and timetabling, lies with the relevant NHS bodies, who agree the deployments with suppliers in line with the suppliers' capacity and their local circumstances. There have been and will continue to be numerous meetings between trusts and heads of IT, including visits to trusts as a matter of routine business.
	The local NHS service implementation and running costs of NPfIT systems and services are paid by the NHS bodies which receive and benefit from them, out of normal NHS allocations.

NHS: Manpower

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS  (a) nurses and  (b) doctors were employed by the South Staffordshire primary care trust in each year since 1997.

Ann Keen: The information is not collected in the format requested.
	The number of hospital and community health services (HCHS) medical and dental staff and nurses employed by South Staffordshire primary care trust (PCT) is shown in the following table. The information is not available prior to 2002.
	
		
			  HCHS: medical and dental staff and nurses( 1)  within South Staffordshire PCT( 2) 
			  Number (headcount) 
			   As at 30 September each year 
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 HCHS Medical and Dental staff 7 24 34 39 39 33 
			 HCHS Nurses 669 724 857 947 1,093 1,042 
			 (1) General practitioners (GP) and GP practice nurses have been excluded from the figures, as they are not directly employed by the PCT. (2) South Staffordshire PCT was formed in October 2006 from a complete merger of Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth PCT, East Staffordshire PCT, Cannock Chase PCT and South Western Staffordshire PCT. Figures prior to 2006 are an aggregate of these predecessor organisations.  Note:  Data Quality: Work force statistics are compiled from data sent by more than 300 national health service (NHS) trusts and PCTs in England. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data. Processing methods and procedures are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where this happens, any impact on figures already published will be assessed but unless this is significant at national level they will not be changed. Where there is impact only at detailed or local level, this will be footnoted in relevant analyses.  Sources: The Information Centre for health and social care Medical and Dental Workforce Census. The Information Centre for health and social care General and Personal Medical Services Statistics.

Nurses: Manpower

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses per 100 beds there were in  (a) England and  (b) the North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust in each year since 1967.

Ann Keen: The number of qualified nurses per 100 beds in England and the North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust in each year since 1997 is shown in the following table.
	The data were collected for the first time in 1997 and figures prior to this year are unavailable.
	
		
			  NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff per 100 beds in England and each specified organisation, as at 30 September each year 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 England 150 154 160 163 171 180 189 197 206 211 221 
			 York Hospitals NHS Trust 163 129 139 153 129 146 145 153 163 163 172 
			 North Yorkshire and York PCT n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 250 294 319 329 281 285 
			 n/a = not available  Notes: 1. Figures are based on headcount nursing figures. Beds data are for beds open overnight and day only. Figures exclude GP practice nurses. 2. In October 2006 Craven, Harrogate and Rural District PCT, Hambleton and Richmondshire PCT, Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale PCT and Selby and York PCT merged to form North Yorkshire and York PCT. Figures prior to 2006 are an aggregate of these predecessor organisations.  Sources: The NHS Information Centre non-medical workforce census Department of Health

Patient Choice Schemes

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospitals are not connected to the choose and book system.

Ben Bradshaw: All national health service hospital trusts use the choose and book system. Of these, 145 currently receive direct electronic bookings, and 24 are not electronically connected to the system but receive 'indirect' bookings. In this case, booking information is transferred manually on to the choose and book system from hospital systems by trust staff.

Patient Information Advisory Group

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many full-time equivalent staff are employed by the Patient Information Advisory Group;
	(2)  what  (a) capital,  (b) revenue and  (c) other funding his Department has given to the Patient Information Advisory Group in each of the last three financial years.

Ben Bradshaw: The Patient Information Advisory Group (PIAG) does not directly employ staff. PIAG is staffed by NHS employees, hosted by the NHS Business Services Authority. At present, there are five whole-time equivalent posts supporting PIAG, one of which is currently vacant.
	Expenditure incurred by PIAG and funded by the Department in each of the last three financial years, which was for revenue purposes only, was as follows:
	
		
			
			 2005-06 130,640 
			 2006-07 122,458 
			 2007-08 214,651

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what percentage of exemption prescription items were dispensed to people aged 60 years or over in  (a) Vale of York constituency and  (b) England in the last 10 years; and what percentage of prescription items were dispensed free to patients in (i) Vale of York constituency and (ii) England in the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many prescription items were dispensed to people aged 60 years or over in  (a) Vale of York constituency and  (b) England in the last 10 years; and how many prescription items were dispensed free to patients in (i) Vale of York constituency and (ii) England in the last 10 years.

Dawn Primarolo: We do not hold this information at constituency level. Based on a one in 20 sample of prescriptions dispensed in the community, the information requested for North Yorkshire and York primary care trust (PCT) and its predecessor bodies and England is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   North Yorkshire and York PCT and predecessor bodies  England 
			   Estimated prescription items dispensed to over 60s (million)  Estimated exempt prescription items dispensed to over 60s (percentage)  Estimated prescription items dispensed free (million)  Estimated prescription items dispensed free (percentage)  Estimated prescription items dispensed to over 60s (million)  Estimated exempt prescription items dispensed to over 60s (percentage)  Estimated prescription items dispensed free (million)  Estimated prescription items dispensed free (percentage) 
			  All dispensers
			 2007 (1)7.9 (1)74.2 (1)10.6 (1)86.8 469.1 66.5 705.5 88.6 
			 2006 (2)7.4 (2)73.7 (2)10.1 (2)86.4 440.8 66.6 661.7 88.0 
			 2005 (3)7.1 (3)73.0 (3)9.7 (3)86.1 409.5 64.9 630.7 87.6 
			 2004 (3)6.7 (3)72.8 (3)9.2 (3)85.5 391.4 65.7 596.1 86.9 
			 2003 (3)6.2 (3)72.2 (3)8.6 (3)84.9 363.5 64.9 560.2 86.2 
			 2002 (3)5.8 (3)71.6 (3)8.1 (3)84.3 339.7 64.3 528.6 85.7 
			 2001 (4)5.3 (4)70.4 (4)7.6 (4)83.8 317.5 63.3 501.6 85.4 
			  
			  Community pharmacists and appliance contractors only  
			 2000 (4)4.1 (4)69.8 (4)5.8 (4)83.8 270.2 63.4 426.0 85.1 
			 1999 (4)3.5 (4)70.1 (4)5.0 (4)83.8 252.2 61.5 410.3 85.1 
			 1998 (4)3.3 (4)68.0 (4)4.8 (4)83.7 234.0 58.6 399.1 85.4 
			 (1) North Yorkshire and York PCT. (2) Selby and York PCT, Hambleton and Richmondshire PCT, Craven, Harrogate and Rural District PCT and Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale PCT until l October 2006. North Yorkshire and York PCT thereafter. 3 Selby and York PCT, Hambleton and Richmondshire PCT, Craven, Harrogate and Rural District PCT and Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale PCT. (4) North Yorkshire Health Authority.  Source: Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) systemExemption Category Estimates

Psychiatry: Recruitment

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of whether there are enough prospective psychiatrists in training to meet future recruitment needs; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: Local national health service organisations, supported by strategic health authorities and the Workforce Review Team, are best placed to determine the levels of service and resources required to meet the health needs of the local population.
	The number of doctors training in psychiatry in 2007 is 3,479, an increase of 31 per cent. since 1997.

Smoking: Young People

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of raising the legal age at which tobacco can be purchased on rates of smoking among young people.

Dawn Primarolo: Reducing the number of young people who smoke is a top priority for the Government. We raised the age of sale to 18 on 1 October 2007. It is still too early to assess the impact of the change on smoking rates of young people.
	However, data collected in the winter of 2007 following the introduction of the ban showed smoking levels fell from 9 per cent. in 2006 to 6 per cent. in 2007. However, we cannot be sure what proportion of this was due to the additional restrictions on age of sale.

Smoking: Young People

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government are taking to prevent the purchase of tobacco on behalf of those under 18 years old.

Dawn Primarolo: Preventing the purchase of tobacco by young people under 18 is one of the Government's top priorities. We recently consulted on the issues in a major public consultation on the Future of Tobacco Control, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library. The issue of purchasing tobacco on behalf of under-18s was raised in the consultation.

Smoking: Young People

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the police are able to take to prevent the purchase of tobacco on behalf of those under 18 years of age.

Dawn Primarolo: From 1 October, 2007, it has been illegal to sell tobacco to young people under 18. This was an increase from the age of 16. Trading Standards Officers rather than the police have responsibility for enforcing the law on age of sale of tobacco.

Social Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statistical items are centrally collected from local authorities on social care in their area.

Phil Hope: Statistical returns are collected from local authorities by a number of different organisations as relate to the provision of children's and adults' social care services:
	The NHS Information Centre for Health and Social Care (NHS IC) collects information on adult social care for the Department of Health;
	The Department for Children, Schools and Families collects information on the provision of children's social care services;
	The Commission for Social Care Inspection collects information on adult social care relevant to its function as the independent regulator of those services; and
	Skills for Care, the employer-led authority funded by the Department of Health, collects information on social care work force.
	A table has been placed in the Library which sets out the individual data returns collected by the organisations above in 2008-09.
	Following the implementation of the new Local Performance Framework for Local Authorities and their Partners from April 2008, the Department has undertaken a review of its adult social care collections (noted in the table as collected by NHS IC). This review, facilitated by the NHS IC, has been wide ranging and culminated in a public consultation on proposals for the future, conducted under Office for National Statistics rules. The consultation ended on 24 October 2008, and final recommendations for the scope and nature of future adult social care collections will be submitted for consideration by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State before the end of the year.

Social Services: Haringey

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what inspections the Commission for Social Care Inspection and its predecessor inspectorates have undertaken of Haringey Council's social services department since 2000.

Phil Hope: holding answer 17 November 2008
	The Commission for Social Care Inspection was created in April 2004, by the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003, from the National Care Standards Commission, the Social Services Inspectorate and the SSI Audit Commission Joint Review Team.
	CSCI is responsible for the inspection of adult social services in Haringey. The responsibility for inspection of children's social services in Haringey transferred from CSCI to the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) on 1 April 2007. As part of this process all of CSCI's detailed records on children's services, including those since 2000, were passed to Ofsted at that time.
	I am informed by CSCI that inspections of Haringey council's adult social services department carried out by CSCI and its predecessors, were as follows:
	2000-01: Inspection of Health Authority Registration and Inspection Unit
	2001-02: Inspection of Mental Health Services;
	2001-02: Best value review inspection of Learning Disability Services;
	2004-05: Inspection of Older People's Services;
	2005-06: Mental Health Improvement Review (CSCI joint with the Healthcare Commission).
	Responsibility for children's social services lies with the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Social Services: Registration

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when he announced his Department's intention to consult on adding further categories of social care workers to the General Social Care Council register; when the consultation commenced and closed; when he announced his decision; and when his decision was implemented;
	(2)  which categories of social care worker  (a) are and  (b) are not registered by the General Social Care Council; and what estimate his Department has made of the numbers of people in each category.

Phil Hope: From 1 April 2005, it became compulsory for all social workers in England to be registered with the General Social Care Council (GSCC). Social workers and social work students are the only category of social care workers required to register with the GSCC. The GSCC has registered almost 100,000 social workers and social work students to date.
	Figures regarding the remainder of the social care workforce are not collected centrally. However, Skills for Care estimate that the remainder of the unregistered workforce is made up of 764,000 care workers, 141,000 other direct care/support providing workers, 131,000 managers and supervisors, and 184,000 administrative, ancillary and other workers.
	On 7 February 2006 the Government announced their intention to assess the case for registration of other parts of the social care workforce, and asked the GSCC to begin planning for this. The GSCC held a public consultation which ended in May 2006 and delivered the outcomes of this consultation to the Government. The Government continue to work closely with the GSCC to progress this work.

Tuberculosis

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of tuberculosis were recorded in each primary care trust area in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: Data for cases of tuberculosis by primary care trust for 2001 to 2005 have been provided in the following table. Data for 2006-07 are not yet available.
	
		
			  Number of tuberculosis cases by primary care trust, England, 2001-05 
			  Primary care trust  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT 0 7 7 7 14 
			 Barking and Dagenham PCT 30 35 42 43 59 
			 Barnet PCT 78 102 102 94 116 
			 Barnsley PCT 6 9 9 10 5 
			 Bassetlaw PCT 5 5 5 5 5 
			 Bath and North East Somerset PCT 11 12 12 9 19 
			 Bedfordshire PCT 35 30 32 36 38 
			 Berkshire East PCT 76 83 97 87 105 
			 Berkshire West PCT 40 61 59 53 81 
			 Bexley Care Trust 17 21 25 29 22 
			 Birmingham East and North PCT 92 94 99 123 112 
			 Blackburn with Darwen PCT 42 60 34 59 59 
			 Blackpool PCT 17 10 10 9 6 
			 Bolton PCT 70 60 54 47 69 
			 Bournemouth and Poole PCT 20 28 19 25 36 
			 Bradford and Airedale PCT 149 119 141 111 164 
			 Brent Teaching PCT 230 205 217 233 285 
			 Brighton and Hove City PCT 24 6 5 14 16 
			 Bristol PCT 40 64 52 78 68 
			 Bromley PCT 18 25 31 28 30 
			 Buckinghamshire PCT 39 54 49 32 40 
			 Bury PCT 15 7 21 10 8 
			 Calderdale PCT 21 29 27 19 25 
			 Cambridgeshire PCT 23 23 22 26 42 
			 Camden PCT 91 116 106 77 106 
			 Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT 12 9 12 5 7 
			 Central Lancashire PCT 46 49 40 40 38 
			 City and Hackney Teaching PCT 143 145 157 157 135 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT 11 13 12 20 12 
			 County Durham PCT 19 15 18 19 14 
			 Coventry Teaching PCT 61 79 58 78 88 
			 Croydon PCT 96 108 113 119 114 
			 Cumbria PCT 5 7 5 8 5 
			 Darlington PCT 5 5 8 5 5 
			 Derby City PCT 47 48 62 43 32 
			 Derbyshire County PCT 45 35 35 32 32 
			 Devon PCT 28 14 14 22 19 
			 Doncaster PCT 16 14 21 19 15 
			 Dorset PCT 19 9 13 14 17 
			 Dudley PCT 17 46 32 32 32 
			 Ealing PCT 191 197 187 256 240 
			 East and North Hertfordshire PCT 20 18 17 33 49 
			 East Lancashire PCT 52 65 44 56 70 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire PCT 15 5 6 10 6 
			 East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT 21 18 10 17 9 
			 Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT 27 38 45 39 30 
			 Enfield PCT 96 80 97 96 103 
			 Gateshead PCT 7 7 7 5 5 
			 Gloucestershire PCT 18 21 24 25 25 
			 Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT 12 5 15 9 10 
			 Greenwich Teaching PCT 69 72 72 88 87 
			 Halton and St. Helens PCT 5 5 9 7 5 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 80 81 64 69 90 
			 Hampshire PCT 30 27 44 59 43 
			 Haringey Teaching PCT 151 140 127 149 133 
			 Harrow PCT 100 114 115 99 133 
			 Hartlepool PCT 5 10 7 6 5 
			 Hastings and Rother PCT 10 8 5 5 5 
			 Havering PCT 17 19 13 12 30 
			 Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT 166 178 185 210 216 
			 Herefordshire PCT 5 5 5 6 5 
			 Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT 16 20 21 17 33 
			 Hillingdon PCT 95 95 116 118 137 
			 Hounslow PCT 127 120 98 117 167 
			 Hull PCT 9 14 15 14 7 
			 Isle of Wight NHS PCT 5 5 5 5 5 
			 Islington PCT 87 106 94 89 83 
			 Kensington and Chelsea PCT 41 31 51 48 46 
			 Kingston PCT 16 18 19 23 27 
			 Kirklees PCT 85 86 82 71 87 
			 Knowsley PCT 5 6 8 5 5 
			 Lambeth PCT 134 159 155 127 145 
			 Leeds PCT 95 106 80 115 111 
			 Leicester City PCT 266 194 201 162 263 
			 Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT 54 41 33 37 45 
			 Lewisham PCT 74 91 79 77 99 
			 Lincolnshire PCT 6 14 15 18 18 
			 Liverpool PCT 48 35 20 18 85 
			 Luton PCT 71 85 79 67 89 
			 Manchester PCT 136 141 122 157 145 
			 Medway PCT 24 14 21 9 15 
			 Mid Essex PCT 12 8 10 22 5 
			 Middlesbrough PCT 22 23 18 25 17 
			 Milton Keynes PCT 24 11 14 18 23 
			 Newcastle PCT 40 38 33 39 38 
			 Newham PCT 210 214 245 242 259 
			 Norfolk PCT 17 21 25 27 46 
			 North East Essex PCT 9 13 10 5 11 
			 North East Lincolnshire PCT 11 5 5 0 5 
			 North Lancashire PCT 15 22 16 10 15 
			 North Lincolnshire PCT 5 5 5 5 5 
			 North Somerset PCT 7 5 5 5 10 
			 North Staffordshire PCT 9 8 10 8 5 
			 North Tees PCT 14 11 9 10 16 
			 North Tyneside PCT 11 9 10 11 11 
			 North Yorkshire and York PCT 14 15 18 26 22 
			 Northamptonshire PCT 69 84 58 76 80 
			 Northumberland Care Trust 11 7 9 5 9 
			 Nottingham City PCT 57 42 37 48 54 
			 Nottinghamshire County PCT 23 20 30 20 19 
			 Oldham PCT 48 39 38 37 44 
			 Oxfordshire PCT 34 26 47 68 62 
			 Peterborough PCT 27 26 14 34 37 
			 Plymouth Teaching PCT 16 13 9 12 6 
			 Portsmouth City Teaching PCT 11 5 16 26 21 
			 Redbridge PCT 92 92 110 111 120 
			 Redcar and Cleveland PCT 9 5 5 5 0 
			 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 11 15 12 12 19 
			 Rotherham PCT 39 38 34 28 25 
			 Salford PCT 16 11 26 22 23 
			 Sandwell PCT 81 87 88 89 118 
			 Sefton PCT 12 6 12 11 15 
			 Sheffield PCT 83 59 90 91 86 
			 Shropshire County PCT 7 5 11 19 15 
			 Solihull Care Trust 10 9 17 13 11 
			 Somerset PCT 7 20 5 17 22 
			 South Birmingham PCT 45 57 67 55 49 
			 South East Essex PCT 20 25 22 34 29 
			 South Gloucestershire PCT 10 5 12 11 10 
			 South Staffordshire PCT 11 9 22 24 22 
			 South Tyneside PCT 16 6 9 7 5 
			 South West Essex PCT 17 17 21 26 28 
			 Southampton City PCT 17 21 36 35 33 
			 Southwark PCT 103 106 101 133 141 
			 Stockport PCT 21 23 25 9 21 
			 Stoke on Trent PCT 31 36 34 26 42 
			 Suffolk PCT 11 19 14 25 27 
			 Sunderland Teaching PCT 27 21 15 19 18 
			 Surrey PCT 33 15 68 70 71 
			 Sutton and Merton PCT 52 85 70 85 87 
			 Swindon PCT 10 9 12 12 9 
			 Tameside and Glossop PCT 29 16 33 14 41 
			 Telford and Wrekin PCT 5 5 5 16 13 
			 Torbay Care Trust 8 6 5 8 12 
			 Tower Hamlets PCT 67 122 147 118 129 
			 Trafford PCT 31 27 22 31 19 
			 Wakefield District PCT 17 11 16 27 23 
			 Walsall Teaching PCT 62 59 54 58 44 
			 Waltham Forest PCT 69 104 99 99 116 
			 Wandsworth PCT 51 93 96 96 124 
			 Warrington PCT 5 7 5 5 6 
			 Warwickshire PCT 34 44 34 44 41 
			 West Essex PCT 11 19 11 14 9 
			 West Hertfordshire PCT 40 42 36 36 62 
			 West Kent PCT 22 26 24 28 40 
			 West Sussex PCT 34 39 44 53 42 
			 Western Cheshire PCT 5 5 5 7 13 
			 Westminster PCT 78 75 89 85 97 
			 Wiltshire PCT 11 12 15 12 8 
			 Wirral PCT 10 13 5 5 14 
			 Wolverhampton City PCT 49 73 79 83 93 
			 Worcestershire PCT 16 18 12 23 30 
			 Total(1) 6,386 6,623 6,725 7,034 7,820 
			 (1) Where PCT was known  Note: Numbers less than five not stated due to risk of deductive disclosure  Source: Enhanced Tuberculosis Surveillance as at 27 October 2008

York Hospital

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the capital expenditure on York Hospital was in each year since 1992.

Ben Bradshaw: This information is not available in the format requested.
	Information on total additions for buildings for the York hospitals trust, excluding dwellings, fixtures, fittings and equipment, is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 York hospitals NHS trust 
			  000 
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Additions to buildings excluding dwellings 2,126 2,581 7,776 11,085 2,822 
			  Note:  The trust became a foundation trust on 1 April 2007. Data from foundation trusts are not collected.   Source:  National Health Service (NHS) Trust audited summarisation schedules.

WOMEN AND EQUALITY

Voting Behaviour: Religion

Eric Pickles: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what research the Equality and Human Rights Commission has undertaken on the implications for faith communities of proposals for weekend voting.

Maria Eagle: The Equality and Human Rights Commission has not undertaken any research on the implications for faith communities of proposals for weekend voting.

TREASURY

Bank of Credit and Commerce International

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the amount of unrecovered local authority deposits in the former Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

Angela Eagle: According to the liquidators' website at:
	http://www.bcci.info/
	admitted creditors of BCCI will have received 86.5 per cent. of their claims by December 2008.

Bank Services

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on the use of post offices to provide banking services.

Angela Eagle: Treasury Ministers and officials have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for BERR and with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Bank Services: Charities

Jim Dowd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to protect the funds of registered charities held by Icelandic banks.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 27 October 2008
	The Government have put in place arrangements to ensure that all FSCS-eligible depositors in the Icelandic banks of Landsbanki, Heritable, and Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander will receive their money in full. If a charity is eligible to claim compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, it will be entitled to benefit from these arrangements. Charities not eligible for compensation from the FSCS will be creditors in the normal way.

Bank Services: EC Action

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on action which might be taken at EU level to discourage nationals of EU countries from using offshore financial centres.

Stephen Timms: There have been a number of recent discussions at EU level focused on offshore tax evasion. The main EU instrument for tackling this is the Savings Directive, together with associated agreements with non-EU financial centres. The Commission has made a proposal to amend the directive, which the Government will be considering carefully. The proposal aims to expand the scope and improve the effectiveness of the directive.

Bank Services: Iceland

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Great Grimsby of 10 November 2008,  Official Report, column 930W, on bank services, on which dates his Department was informed by the Financial Services Authority of  (a) its decision to intensify its supervision of deposit-taking by Icelandic banks and  (b) its decision further to increase contracts with the banks.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 17 November 2008
	As the memorandum of understanding between HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the FSA sets out, the three authorities meet at a number of levels on a very regular basis to exchange information on threats to financial stability.

Bank Services: Public Bodies

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of public bodies which use offshore banking facilities.

Ian Pearson: The Government do not collect this information centrally. However, in line with guidance in Managing Public Money, each public sector organisation is expected to manage its business, including its banking facilities, prudently, efficiently and effectively.

Banks

Michael Fallon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he was first informed of concerns about Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander Bank; when these concerns were first discussed by the tripartite authorities; and at what level the discussion took place.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 17 November 2008
	The FSA intensified its supervision of deposit-taking by Icelandic banks (including through increased contact with firms, more frequent visits and enhanced reporting requirements) from the beginning of 2008. As the economic situation deteriorated during the year, and particularly since September, the FSA worked increasingly with the banks concerned.
	As the memorandum of understanding between HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the FSA sets out, the FSA informs the tripartite of its concerns on a regular basis.

Banks: Debts

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of debt the banks to which public money is committed have in connection with their involvement in the leveraged buyout of professional football clubs.

Ian Pearson: It is a matter for the management of the banks concerned to release specific business information and updates in line with their regulatory obligations and provide any required disclosures in their audited annual report and accounts.

Banks: Government Shareholding

Michael Fallon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he has given to opening to public subscription the 12 per cent. preference shares in  (a) Lloyds TSB/HBOS and  (b) the Royal Bank of Scotland due to be taken up by the Government; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 17 November 2008
	Agreements on the terms and conditions of the Government's recapitalisation have been reached with the banks involved and are available in the House of Commons Library. The terms of these agreements ensure value for money for the taxpayer.

Banks: Iceland

Mary Creagh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of  (a) the number of UK nationals who hold deposits with offshore Icelandic banks and  (b) the value of such deposits.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 23 October 2008
	The UK Government and the Financial Services Authority do not hold such information.

Cost of Living: Barnet

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the effects of rising prices in Chipping Barnet constituency.

Angela Eagle: A combination of an increase in global energy and food prices has driven inflation higher in constituencies across the UK although inflation fell in October. The Government do not underestimate the effect of higher prices on consumers and the constituents of Chipping Barnet are no exception. The Government have taken action to support peopleincluding cutting income tax to give 22 million households up to 120 for this year and freezing fuel duty.

Council Tax: Valuation

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 4 November 2008,  Official Report, column 314W, on the Valuation Office, whether the specifications will include the use of geo-data to support the operation of the council tax automated valuation model.

Stephen Timms: They will.

Departmental Advertising

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on television advertising in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 27 October 2008
	The Treasury spent 2,991,000 on TV advertising within a publicity campaign running from September 2005 to March 2006 to raise awareness of Stakeholder savings and investment products. There were no other instances of TV advertising in the last five years.

Departmental Consultants

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many external consultants work for his Department.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Holiday Leave

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the policy of  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies is on whether leave taken by staff in the period between Christmas and new year must be taken from their annual holiday allowance.

Angela Eagle: HM Treasury and OGCbuying.solutions staff are entitled to one day's privilege leave over the Christmas and new year period in addition to the public holidays over this period. For any additional leave, staff are required to use their annual leave allowance between Christmas and new year from their annual holiday allowance.

Departmental ICT

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Fareham of 27 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 778-80W, on departmental ICT, what IT projects  (a) HM Revenue and Customs and  (b) the Valuation Office Agency are undertaking; and what the most recent estimate is of (i) the cost and (ii) the completion date of each.

Stephen Timms: The following tables list large IT change projects being undertaken by  (a) HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and  (b) the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) as at November 2008, with their associated cost ranges and currently planned implementation dates.
	HMRC and VOA undertake IT change projects across a wide range of their business processes and systems.
	Table  (b) includes IT change projects managed through the 'World Class Programme' of the VOA, which manages the delivery of business projects that have an IT impact. Projects currently preparing viability proposals have not yet assessed their IT costs.
	The tables do not include projects which are making minor enhancements to existing systems, or projects being delivered on behalf of other Government Departments. Costs identified are those relating to the IT elements of business change projects from April 2008 to the expected implementation date.
	Many of our IT projects are at an early stage in their development lifecycle, and detailed technical solutions and IT supplier costs are yet to be established. The figures shown below are therefore estimates and remain subject to revision, finalisation and formal investment approval.
	
		
			  Table (a): HMRC IT projects as at November 2008 
			  IT project  Implementation date  Estimated costs ( million) 
			 Combined Economic Operator Projects February 2010 1-5 
			 Common Core Components March 2009 5-10 
			 Connect January 2010 5-10 
			 Consolidation of Inward Cheque Processing March 2009 1-5 
			 Enterprise infrastructure December 2011 over 20 
			 Enterprise Resource Planning System March 2010 5-10 
			 Estates Consolidation and Transformation Programme March 2012 32-35 
			 EU Legislative risk Requirement January 2010 5-10 
			 EU VAT Refunds Project December 2009 5-10 
			 European Union Savings Directive Project October 2009 under 1 
			 Excise Movement and Control System October 2010 over 20 
			 FTS3 Sea Containers November 2008 1-5 
			 Government Card Account April 2009 under 1 
			 HMRC Banking Transition Project September 2009 5-10 
			 Implementation of Lord Carter's Recommendations on online services December 2012 over 20 
			 Import/Export/Community Transit Systems March 2010 10-20 
			 Internal on-line guidance March 2009 1-5 
			 Managed Data Transfer Service April 2009 10-15 
			 Modernising PAYE Processes for Customers June 2010 over 20 
			 Spectrum March 2009 over 20 
			 Student Loan Business Service Modernisation April 2009 1-5 
			 Tax Credits Transformation Programme October 2009 5-10 
			 Tribunals Reform April 2009 under 1 
			 VAT systems changes December 2008 under 1 
			 Workflow and Case Management April 2009 5-10 
		
	
	
		
			  Table (b): VOA IT projects as at November 2008 
			  IT Project  Implementation date  Estimated costs ( million) 
			 BlackBerries December 2008 under 1 
			 Geographical Information System January 2010 1-5 
			 Hardcopy RecordsStrategic October 2009 1-5 
			 Tech Refresh June 2009 1-5

Departmental Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08.

Angela Eagle: HM Treasury's Publishing Unit which comprises of 14 staff are responsible for various aspects of the publishing process including branding, web publishing, design and print production. Branding activity accounts for a small percentage of the unit's role.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in his Department has been in the last 12 months.

Angela Eagle: Special advisers in the Treasury are not provided with Government cars.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what external speakers his Department and its agencies have paid since January 2005; how much each was paid; and on what date each spoke.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 20 November 2008
	The information requested in respect of the Treasury and its agencies is not available.

Departmental Procurement

James Duddridge: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the names and addresses of each organisation that supplied goods and services to his Department in 2007-08, based on the purchase order data held in the Department's financial database.

Angela Eagle: A copy of the list of active suppliers, including postcodes, held on the Treasury's accounting system at 28 October 2008 has been deposited in the Library.

Departmental Recruitment

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria are used to assess candidates for non-executive directorships at his Department.

Angela Eagle: Treasury's most recent recruitment for independent non-executive directors was in summer 2008. Three non-executive directors were appointed following an open competition involving the independent Office of the Civil Service Commissioners.
	Candidates were assessed against criteria set out on Treasury's website:
	An individual:
	Of undisputed integrity and standing, and of sufficient authority to command the respect of HMT Ministers and officials
	A leader: Chair, CEO or head of function in a major organisation; or a relevant area of public/voluntary sector; or a relevant area of public policy involving strategy development
	With an interest in the wider public policy debate and in economic and financial policy in particular
	With a strong, demonstrable commitment to diversity
	Between the Non-Executive Board Members, we are also seeking to replace existing expertise from Non-Executives who are reaching the end of their terms:
	A proven ability to lead and communicate change
	Experience in financial management and risk management. Previous experience on audit committees would also be advantageous.
	Extensive experience and expertise in a field relating to Treasury's remit and in particular the Financial Services sector

Departmental Secondment

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many secondees have worked in his Department since 1 January 2005; from which organisation each was seconded; in which section of his Department each was employed while at the Department; and for what periods each worked at the Department.

Angela Eagle: The information is as follows:
	1. The number of secondees from outside the civil service who have worked in HMT Treasury in the period 1 January 2005 to 31 July 2008 is 79.
	2. The employment sectors they were seconded from are as follows:
	
		
			  Employment sector  Number 
			 Private 41 
			 Public 37 
			 Voluntary 1 
		
	
	3. The section that each secondee worked in are listed as follows:
	
		
			  Directorate  Total 
			 Finance Regulation industry 11 
			 Budget, Tax and Welfare 14 
			 Government Financial Management 7 
			 Ministerial Corporate Services 4 
			 Macro-economic policy and International Finance 14 
			 Public Services and Growth 29 
			 Grand total 79 
		
	
	4. The precise length of each secondment could be answered only at disproportionate cost. However, most secondments last between one and two years.

Departmental Secondment

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were seconded from the private sector to  (a) HM Revenue and Customs,  (b) the Office of Government Commerce and  (c) OGC Buying Solutions in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006, (iii) 2007 and (iv) 2008.

Angela Eagle: There have been seven secondments from the private sector to HMRC in 2008 and two to OGC. Information for earlier years is not available. There was one such secondment to OGCbuying.solutions in 2005, two in 2006, none in 2007 and one in 2008.

Driving Offences

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how fines incurred by businesses for minor driving offences are treated for tax purposes.

Stephen Timms: Fines incurred by businesses for minor driving offences are not allowable deductions for tax purposes.

Excise Duties: Motor Vehicles

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  for what reason light goods vehicles with lower emissions ratings do not fall into a lower vehicle excise duty band than similar vehicles with higher emissions;
	(2)  if he will assess the merits of vehicle excise duty gradation according to emissions levels in the case of light goods vehicles.

Angela Eagle: Comprehensive data on the carbon dioxide emissions of light goods vehicles are unavailable, and therefore vehicle excise duty for these vehicles cannot be differentiated by carbon dioxide emission levels at this time.

Financial Institutions: Iran

William Hague: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for UK financial institutions of the decision by the United States Administration to ban Iran from undertaking U-turn financial transactions involving US financial institutions.

Ian Pearson: The U-turn licence enabled Iranian entities to have indirect access to the US financial systemincluding through UK financial institutions. Revocation of that licence will mean financial institutions worldwide can no longer route payments for the benefit of Iran through the US.
	We are not aware that UK financial institutions made any significant use of the U-turn licence, and therefore we expect the US decision to close the U-turn licence will have limited implications for UK financial institutions.

Financial Services Authority: Departmental Responsibilities

Ann Winterton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Department has ministerial responsibility for the Financial Services Authority.

Ian Pearson: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is an independent non-governmental body, given statutory powers by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. It is a company limited by guarantee, operationally independent of Government and funded entirely by the firms it regulates.
	This statutory independence means that the Government do not have any control over the day-to-day running of the organisation, but it falls within the policy field for which the Treasury is responsible. The FSA is accountable to Parliament, the Treasury, the public and industry in a number of ways including the requirement for the FSA to publish an annual report on the discharge of its functions and the extent to which its regulatory objectives have been met.

Intellectual Property

Don Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment the Treasury has made of the contribution which industries dependent on intellectual property make to the UK economy.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury has made no such assessment.
	However, a number of recent reports have examined the importance of innovative and knowledge-based sectors to the UK economy, including the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property (December 2006), the Sainsbury Review (October 2007), the Treasury's Economics Paper No. 1, Intangible Investment and Britain's Productivity (October 2007), the Creative Britain strategy document (February 2008), and the DIUS White Paper Innovation Nation (March 2008).

Intellectual Property

Don Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the effect of intellectual property crime on revenues received by the Exchequer.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury has made no such assessment.

Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects funds to be released from the Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander Bank.

Ian Pearson: On 8 October, the Treasury used powers under the Banking (Special Provisions) Act 2008 to transfer Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander's Kaupthing Edge deposit business to ING Direct. These depositors are now customers of ING Direct.
	The remainder of KSF was placed into administration following due legal process. Creditors will be paid out in accordance with UK insolvency procedures.

Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander: Isle of Man

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with  (a) the Isle of Man authorities and  (b) Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander Bank (Isle of Man) on the bank releasing the funds held within it.

Ian Pearson: Arrangements for depositors in banks in the Isle of Man are a matter for the Government of the Isle of Man.
	Deposits with Kaupthing, Singer and Friedlander, Isle of Man will be subject to the Isle of Man Deposit Compensation Scheme.
	Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings and discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings and discussions.

Non-domestic Rates: Empty Property

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the timetable is for the Valuation Office Agency's review of the effects of the increases in empty property business rates.

Stephen Timms: The Valuation Office Agency keeps the Department for Communities and Local Government regularly informed on empty property rates, from its perspective of keeping rating lists up to date, but is not itself undertaking a review.

Office of Government Commerce: Finance

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the budget for  (a) the Office of Government Commerce and  (b) OGC Buying Solutions is for each of the next three financial years.

Angela Eagle: Details on the Office of Government Commerce's DEL budget for the next three financial years are set out in HM Treasury Annual Report 2007-08 (CM 7408). Approval for changes to the 2008-09 provision will be sought through the supply process.
	OGCbuying.solutions is a trading fund set up under the Government Trading Funds Act 1973 and is therefore dependant on the funds it earns, and consequently receives no central budget for its operations. This means that Buying Solutions must cover its expenditure completely through sales to its customers. While Buying Solutions undertakes rigorous financial planning, its expenditure is off-set by its income earned.

Public Sector: Procurement

David Kidney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the merits of using British Standards Institution standard PAS 2050 in public procurement.

Angela Eagle: PAS 2050 is a voluntary standard to assess the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, GHG, in products (i.e. goods and services). Its development was co-sponsored by DEFRA and the Carbon Trust in response to demand from business. PAS 2050 is a method designed to enable businesses to carbon footprint their goods or services, to know where in their supply chain their greenhouse gas emissions occur, and then work to reduce them.
	The Government are fully committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in public procurement. Quick wins product standards have been mandated for many categories of goods and services. Government Departments are currently working with the Carbon Disclosure Project, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to understanding the carbon emissions associated with supply chains, on pilots that will provide information to Departments about the overall carbon emissions of suppliers to Government.

Public Sector: Procurement

David Kidney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance he has given the Centre of Expertise for Sustainable Procurement regarding the use of whole-life costing in public sector procurement.

Angela Eagle: The Centre of Expertise for Sustainable Procurement uses the guidance published in HM Treasury 'The Green Book: Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government', which states that whole life costing (WLC) must be applied in all public sector procurement as part of ensuring value for money solutions.

Research and Development Tax Credit

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much was overpaid in research and development tax credits in each year since 2000; how many companies were overpaid research and development tax credits in each such year; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much was underpaid in research and development tax credits in each year since 2000; how many companies were underpaid research and development tax credits in each such year; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many appeals there have been against the  (a) underpayment and  (b) overpayment of research and development tax credits in each year since 2000; and how many appeals were successful in each year.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is not available.
	Under the self-assessment system, a company makes a claim, in its corporation tax return, to a specific amount of research and development tax relief (including payable tax credit if appropriate).
	HMRC carries out a risk assessment into every tax return and may intervene in a particular case. This may ultimately lead to an adjustment of the amount of tax relief given, in which case the company has a right of appeal. Such interventions take place for a large number of different tax reasons, many unrelated to any R and D claim. In many cases there will be a number of relevant factors. To safeguard its compliance processes, HMRC does not separately publish the numbers of interventions in respect of R and D.

Retail Trade: Competition

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what meetings at which the Competition Commission market investigation into the supply of groceries in the UK was discussed he has had since 1 May 2008;
	(2)  what meetings he and Ministers within his Department have had with representatives of UK grocery retailers since 1 May 2008.

Angela Eagle: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Revenue and Customs: Business Interests

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date John Connors, the Director of HM Revenue and Customs' Large Business and Employers' Customer Unit, submitted an application under the business appointments procedures to join Vodafone; on what date the application was approved; and what conditions were placed on Mr. Connors when the application was approved.

Stephen Timms: John Connors submitted the application on 19 March 2007 and the application was approved on 8 May 2007. No conditions were placed on him.

Revenue and Customs: Correspondence

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the Chief Executive of HM Revenue and Customs received the letter from the right hon. Member for Birkenhead of 31 October 2008 on his constituent, Natasha Brown; and when he expects the matter raised in the letter to be resolved.

Stephen Timms: As HM Revenue and Customs did not receive my right hon. Friend's letter, his office was contacted and provided a copy of the letter on 19 November 2008. The chief executive aims to reply within 15 working days.

Revenue and Customs: Fraud

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff at  (a) HM Revenue and Customs and  (b) the Valuation Office Agency have been investigated for alleged fraud in 2008.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs employs over 80,000 staff.
	From 1 April 2008 to date, there have been 27 investigations into suspected fraudulent activity by HMRC staff. The investigations are for such activity as failing to declare a criminal conviction ranging to fraudulent claims to repayments.
	The number of Valuation Office Agency staff investigated for alleged fraud in 2008 is less than five. The exact number cannot be disclosed on grounds of confidentiality.

Revenue and Customs: Manpower

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff of each grade were employed at the Inland Revenue and HM Revenue and Customs offices at  (a) Concord House, Paignton and  (b) Tor Hill House, Torquay on (i) 31 March 2005, (ii) 31 March 2007 and (iii) 31 March 2008.

Stephen Timms: The number of staff by grade employed at these HM Revenue and Customs/Inland Revenue offices, in both headcount and full time equivalent (FTE), were:
	
		
			  Concord House, Paignton( 1) 
			  Grade  Headcount  FTE 
			  (i) 31 March 2005 (Inland Revenue)   
			 Officer 2 2 
			 Assistant Officer 4 2.73 
			 Administrative Assistant 2 1.86 
			 Total 8 6.59 
			 (1) This office was vacated in June 2006. 
		
	
	
		
			  Tor Hill House, Torquay 
			  Grade  Headcount  FTE 
			  (i) 31 March 2005 (Inland Revenue)   
			 Senior Officer 1 1 
			 Higher Officer 6 5.34 
			 Officer 23 22.73 
			 Assistant Officer 31 27.04 
			 Administrative Assistant 23 20.75 
			 Total 84 76.85 
			
			  (ii) 31 March 2007   
			 Senior Officer 1 1 
			 Higher Officer 3 2.16 
			 Officer 21 20.81 
			 Assistant Officer 33 28.94 
			 Administrative Assistant 16 13.97 
			 Total 74 66.88 
			
			  (iii) 31 March 2008   
			 Senior Officer 2 2 
			 Higher Officer 2 1.16 
			 Officer 18 17.81 
			 Assistant Officer 27 23.61 
			 Administrative Assistant 15 13.16 
			 Total 64 57.74

Revenue and Customs: Penzance

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much tax revenue has been recovered as a result of the work of compliance staff in the Penzance HM Revenue and Customs office in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of tax revenue recovered as a result of work undertaken in the Penzance HM Revenue and Customs office during the last five years.

Stephen Timms: HMRC does not have the available systems to trace back the amount of tax revenue recovered to the work of staff in a particular office.

Revenue and Customs: Reorganisation

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when he will announce the results of the remaining decisions in the  (a) workforce change and  (b) transformation programmes;
	(2)  what factors underlay his decision to delay the final announcement of his future plans for the workforce change programme.

Stephen Timms: The remaining decisions on the future of the offices reviewed under the workforce change regional review programme are expected to be announced before the end of 2008.
	HMRC will provide an update on its transformation programme in its forthcoming Autumn Performance Report.

Revenue and Customs: Reorganisation

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the impact which the closure of HM Revenue and Customs offices have upon the economy of the areas in which they were based;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the fiscal stimulus which HM Revenue and Customs offices contribute to the economies in the areas in which they are located;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed closure of the Penzance tax office on the local economy; and if he will assess the potential contribution of that office to the local economy in the current economic climate;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the fiscal stimulus provided to local economies from HM Revenue and Customs operations in local communities.

Stephen Timms: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) draws socio-economic issues to my attention in the impact assessments it prepares when drawing up its regional review proposals. These are important issues but the primary consideration is HMRC's need to restructure itself into a modern and efficient organisation meeting the needs of its customers.
	HMRC is organised on national business lines and most offices do not have a direct link to the taxpaying community in which they are located, with the exception of the inquiry centres. HMRC's general expectation is that staff based at offices that are to be vacated will commute to another office within reasonable daily travel.
	They will still therefore contribute to their local economy.

Revenue and Customs: Reorganisation

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the merits of the proposal submitted by staff in the Penzance HM Revenue and Customs office in response to his Department's workforce change proposals on the deployment of their expertise to expand the Department's repayment compliance project.

Stephen Timms: All responses received in response to the consultation exercise on the workforce change proposal for the future of the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) office in Penzance have been considered.
	The proposal to vacate the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) office in Penzance, with the exception of the inquiry centre service which will be maintained in the present building or nearby, was based on the latest plans of HMRC business units, including those of local compliance.
	The repayment compliance project carried out in Penzance was a successful initiative which demonstrated that this type of work did not have to be carried out locally.

Revenue and Customs: Secondment

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many secondees have worked in HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) since 1 January 2005; from which organisation each was seconded; in which section of HMRC each was employed; and for what period each worked at HMRC.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is given in the table:
	
		
			  Secondments within HMRC, November 2008 
			  Dept From  HMRC section  Period in HMRC  
			From  To 
			 Australian Taxation Office Special Civil Investigations 1 March 2007 2 years 
			 Bank of England Finance 20 November 2006 19 November 2009 
			 Bank of England Finance 28 February 2007 27 February 2009 
			 Bank of England Debt Management and Banking 1 January 2008 31 March 2009 
			 Bank of England Debt Management and Banking 1 November 2006 1 November 2009 
			 Bank of England Government Banking Service 22 September 2008 31 January 2009 
			 Cabinet Office HMRC Pacesetter 5 October 2005 31 March 2008 
			 Communities and Local Government Knowledge, Analysis and Intelligence 15 September 2008 2 yrs 
			 Dept for Constitutional Affairs Solicitors 4 September 2006 3 September 2008 
			 Dept of Constitutional Affairs Solicitors Office 1 April 2005 31 March 2008 
			 Dept for Constitutional Affairs Centralised Processing 26 September 2005 25 September 2009 
			 Egon Zehnder Chief People Officer 7 January 2008 31 July 2008 
			 DEFRA Communication and Marketing 6 August 2007 5 August 2009 
			 HM Treasury Business Tax 3 July 2006 2 July 2008 
			 HM Treasury Large Business Services 21 August 2006 20 August 2008 
			 Home Office Central Compliance 1 December 2003 Continuing arrangement 
			 Home Office Compliance Pacesetter 13 February 2007 31 January 2009 
			 Home Office Central Compliance 1 October 2008 May 2009 
			 IBM Individuals Customer Unit 1 May 2007 30 April 2008 
			 IBM Central Compliance 1 July 2008 Continuing arrangement 
			 KPMG Anti Avoidance Group 1 October 2008 1 October 2009 
			 KPMG Local Compliance Large and Complex 6 October 2008 3 April 2009 
			 KPMG Large Business Services 22 January 2008 21 September 2008 
			 Korean National Tax Service Central Policy 1 April 2008 18 months 
			 Labour Providers UnitNorwich Debt Management and Banking 1 July 2004 Continuing arrangement 
			 Labour Providers Unit -Norwich Debt Management and Banking 1 April 2005 Continuing arrangement 
			 Ministry of justice People Function 1 May 2008 1 May 2010 
			 New Zealand tax authority Large Business Services 1 April 2008 31 March 2009 
			 OPG/GBS Debt Management and Banking 6 March 2007 5 March 2010 
			 OPC Tax Law rewrite 16 October 2006 1 October 2009 
			 OPC Central Policy 1 May 2007 Expected to leave on 31 December 2009 
			 OPC Central Policy 1 September 2003 October 2009 
			 OPC Central Policy 1 December 2007 Expected to leave on 31 December 2009 
			 OPC Central Policy 1 June 2007 October 2009 
			 Office of Parliamentary Counsel Tax Law Rewrite 15 October 2006 14 October 2008 
			 SOCA Criminal Investigations 1 July 2007 30 June 2008 
			 Tax office Finland People Function 1 September 2007 1 March 2008 
			 DTI via Cabinet Office Knowledge, Analysis and Intelligence director 9 2006 Continuing arrangement 
			 DTI Central Policy 8 January 2007 1 March 2009 
			 Valuation Office Agency People Function 16 January 2006 Continuing arrangement 
			 Valuation Office Agency HR and Learning 3 January 2006 2 January 2008 
			 Valuation Office Agency Solicitors Office 1 April 2007 31 March 2009 
			 Winterrule Acts Individuals Customer Unit 5 September 2007 Continuing arrangement 
			 Department Work and Pensions Central Compliance 1 May 2008 May 2009 
		
	
	HMRC is unable to provide the data requested on the number of secondees who have worked in the Department since 1 January 2005.

Revenue and Customs: Standards

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what national processing performance targets were set for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) offices in 2007-08; and what the performance of HMRC offices in Devon was against those targets in that year.

Stephen Timms: Processing has a range of targets. The main ones for the PAYE/SA business are:
	
		
			  Activity  Targe t (percentage) 
			 PAYE Quality 93 
			 SA Quality 97 
			 Post Quality (40 days) 90 
			 Post - 15 day turnaround 80 
			 Post - 40 day turnaround 95 
		
	
	Separate figures are not reported for individual offices.

Tax Credit

Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit cases are awaiting a decision by the Adjudicator's Office; what the target time for a decision to be made is; what the  (a) length of the longest time and  (b) average time taken to reach a decision has been in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer my predecessor gave my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 25 June 2008,  Official Report, column 388W, and the answer I gave the hon. Member for North Thanet (Mr. Gale) on 30 October 2008,  Official Report; column 1196W.

Taxation: Companies

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of the number of  (a) limited liability companies,  (b) partnerships and  (c) self-employed individuals that were liable for late payment interest charges levied by HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last four years in respect of (i) main rate corporation tax, (ii) marginal small company rate corporation tax, (iii) small companies' rate corporation tax, (iv) VAT, (v) income tax and (vi) national insurance contributions; and what the projected figures for (A) 2008-09 and (B) 2009-10 are;
	(2)  what estimate his Department has made of the monetary value of late payment interest charges levied by HM Revenue and Customs on  (a) limited liability companies,  (b) partnerships and  (c) self-employed individuals in each of the last four years in respect of (i) main rate corporation tax, (ii) marginal small company rate corporation tax, (iii) small companies' rate corporation tax, (iv) VAT, (v) income tax and (vi) national insurance contributions; and what the projected figures for (A) 2008-09 and (B) 2009-10 are;
	(3)  what estimate his Department has made of the number of late payment interest charges levied by HM Revenue and Customs on  (a) limited liability companies,  (b) partnerships and  (c) self-employed individuals in each of the last four years in respect of (i) main rate corporation tax, (ii) marginal small company rate corporation tax, (iii) small companies' rate corporation tax, (iv) VAT, (v) income tax and (vi) national insurance contributions; and what the projected figures for (A) 2008-09 and (B) 2009-10 are.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Taxation: Pensioners

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many pensioners not eligible for pension credit have experienced a net reduction in their income following the removal of the 10 per cent. tax band and the subsequent increase of the tax-free allowance.

Stephen Timms: A breakdown of the 1.1 million households that experienced a net reduction in their income from the personal tax measures is provided in the Treasury's memorandum to the Treasury Select Committee as part of their inquiry into Budget measures and low income households.

Taxation: Prisoners

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Prison Service ruling that prisoners may not be employed and pay tax applies to prisoners in open prisons.

Stephen Timms: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs takes the view that because prisoners working inside prisons, whatever the category of prison, are working under prison rules, they cannot be treated as employees for tax and NICs purposes.

Taxation: Rehabilitation

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the tax revenue received from taxation of rehabilitation services provided by employers to employees where the injury was sustained outside the workplace in the last financial year;
	(2)  what the tax treatment is of rehabilitation services for employees provided by employers for  (a) the employer and  (b) the employee in (i) cases where the injury is sustained in the workplace and (ii) cases where the injury is sustained outside the workplace.

Stephen Timms: No estimate has been made of the tax revenue received from the taxation of payments made by employers to cover costs of injuries suffered by their employees outside the workplace. Employers are not required to report to HMRC the reason for providing their employees with taxable private medical treatment.
	Where an injury or condition derives directly from an employee carrying out his or her duties or in the case of other accidents or conditions that derive solely from the employee carrying out his or her job, the cost of the treatment paid for by their employer, including rehabilitation services, would not be subject to tax or national insurance contributions.
	But where the injury or condition does not directly arise from the employee performing the duties of the job, the cost of treatment paid for by the employer will be subject to tax and to employer's class 1A national insurance contributions.

Taxation: Self-assessment

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on which dates since September 2008 the HM Revenue and Customs online self-assessment tax pages have not had a full service available; for how long on each occasion; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 18 November 2008
	HMRC's online servicesincluding the Self Assessment serviceare not available when HMRC and/or the Government Gateway need to upgrade their online systems. The Self Assessment service was not available on the following dates since September 2008:
	1-2 September from 20:00 to 05.15, a total of nine hours and 15 minutes.
	5-8 September from 19.30 to 06.00, a total of 58 hours and 30 minutes.
	10 September from 0.00 to 06.00, a total of six hours.
	6 October from 02.00 to 05.00, a total of three hours.
	9 October from 22.04 to 22.18, a total of 14 minutes
	17-18 October from 20.00 to 01.33, a total of five hours and 33 minutes
	24-27 October from 06.00 to 6.00, a total of 72 hours.
	30 October from 22.00 to 23.30, a total of one hour and 30 minutes.
	1 November from 02.00 to 22.00, a total of 20 hours
	6-7 November from 23.53 to 8.20, a total of eight hours and 27 minutes.
	10 November from 06.30 to 10.15, a total of three hours and 45 minutes
	11-12 November from 22.00 to 04.20, a total of six hours and 20 minutes.
	The majority of downtime is scheduled to minimise impact on customers, for example overnight, and to avoid peak times such as the lead up to the online Self Assessment filing deadline. HMRC warns its customers in advance of such downtime.

Taxation: Self-assessment

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many upgrades of the HM Revenue and Customs online self-assessment tax form have been made to the system since September 2008; when such upgrades were made; for how long the online form was unavailable as a result of the upgrades; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Since September 2008 there have been two upgrades to the HM Revenue and Customs online Self Assessment service which have resulted in the service being temporarily unavailable.
	The first took place on 1-2 of September and totalled nine hours and 15 minutes. The second occurred on 24-27 October and totalled 72 hours.
	HMRC's customers are informed in advance of the downtime caused by upgrades; it is scheduled to minimise impact on customers, for example overnight, and to avoid peak times such as the lead up to the online Self Assessment filing deadline.

Valuation Office: Databases

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 6 November 2008,  Official Report, column 684W, on Valuation Office: databases, if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance given to staff on how the database alignment exercise should be conducted.

Stephen Timms: The database alignment exercise is being undertaken by Ordnance Survey.

Valuation Office: Geographical Information Systems

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 4 November 2008,  Official Report, column 314W, on the Valuation Office, what the go live date is for the geographical information system; and whether it will cover  (a) England and  (b) Wales.

Stephen Timms: The specification for the Valuation Office Agency's GIS will not be finalised until December 2009. The go live date will be determined during the specification process. The VOA's GIS will cover England and Wales.

Valuation Office: Geographical Information Systems

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 4 November 2008,  Official Report, column 314W, on the Valuation Office, if he will place in the Library a copy of the invitation to tender with commercially sensitive elements redacted.

Stephen Timms: It would be inappropriate to do so as Aspire have conducted the tender process.

Valuation Office: Handbooks

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer of 18 October 2007,  Official Report, column 1279W, on the Valuation Office: manuals, if he will publish an updated list of the titles of each of the Valuation Office Agency's learning manuals.

Stephen Timms: The following learning documents are currently available to Valuation Office Agency staff.
	Rating Support Application (RSA) training support materials;
	RSA: Introduction to Rating Workbook;
	RSA: Induction Workbook;
	IT Services Division (ITSD) IT Training Information;
	District Valuer Services (DVS) Caseworker Support IT training support materials;
	Defence Support Package Guides and Workbooks;
	CRAC, MILO, 1990 Rating Enquiries IT application work aids and trainer notes;
	Digital Mapping User Guide;
	Digital Photography User Guide;
	Microsoft Applications IT trainer notes;
	VOA Management Development guides and workbooks;
	NDR Referencers Manual;
	CT Referencers Manual;
	Zoning of shops handbook;
	Introduction to Rating;
	The role of the Referencer;
	Introduction to Inspections;
	Introduction to Industrials;
	Introduction to Offices;
	Inspection of Shops;
	Principles of Rating;
	Material Date, Effective Dates and Transition;
	Introduction to Commercial Landlord and Tenant;
	Rentals Approach to Rating valuation;
	Introduction to Masts;
	Mast Valuations;
	CT Valuation Modules 1 to 4;
	Business Awareness;
	Customer Service;
	Data Security Workbook;
	CT Caseworker Support (Introduction to Council Tax Workbook); and
	CT Caseworker Support, IT Training Support Materials.

Valuation Office: Northern Ireland Land and Property Services

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 7 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1266W, on the Valuation Office: Northern Ireland Land and Property Services, if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes of the Steering Committee on Harmonisation in respect of each of the meetings listed in the answer.

Stephen Timms: A copy of the minutes of the 45th and 46th meetings of the Steering Committee on Harmonisation (Practice and Procedure) England Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland held on 8-9 May 2007 in Belfast and 6-7 November 2007 in London have been placed in the Library. There were no minutes from the other meetings.

Valuation Office: Rightmove

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Valuation Office Agency, or HM Revenue and Customs on its behalf, will pay to rightmove.co.uk plc in respect of 2008-09.

Stephen Timms: Terms for an extension to the contract with Rightmove are being finalised. Payments to third parties will be published in the Valuation Office Agency's Report and Accounts in due course.

Valuation Office: Standards

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what national targets have been set for the Valuation Office Agency (VOA); and what the performance of VOA offices in the South West Region against these targets was in 2007-08.

Stephen Timms: Within the South West Region, the Valuation Office Agency's structure during 2007-08 comprised the South West and Western Groups covering local taxation work, and the South West District Valuer Services Unit covering other work. The national targets set by my right hon. Friend the former Paymaster General for 2007-08 and announced to the House on 26 March 2007 together with the audited results (which are available on the Agency's website at: www.voa.gov.uk) are shown as follows alongside the individual outturns for the South West Region.
	
		
			  Valuation Office Agency national targets and results, 2007-08 
			  Agency key targets  Agency target  Agency result  South West Group result  Western Group result  DVS SW result 
			  Customer  
			 To achieve overall customer satisfaction of 88 per cent. (Percentage) 88 91
			   
			  Operations  
			 To enable prompt issue of correct bills by local authorities through clearing rating reports within an average of 18 working days (Number) 18 11 12.3 9.0  
			 To enable prompt issue of correct bills by local authorities through clearing council tax reports within an average of 14 daysEngland only (Number) 14 14 11.9 17.1  
			 To enable prompt issue of correct bills by local authorities through clearing council tax reports within an average of 16 daysWales only (Number) 16 12
			 To contain reductions in the 2005 rating lists to a maximum of 4.2 per cent. of the total compiled list rateable value, over the entire life of the lists (Percentage) 4.2 2.3 2.1 1.1  
			 To ensure that 96 per cent. of new council tax bandings are right first time (Percentage) 96 97 96.3 96.8  
			 To enable prompt issue of tax assessments by clearing all HMRC initial appraisal cases for inheritance tax on average within eight days (Number) 8 9.6   7.2 
			 To enable prompt issue of tax assessments by clearing all HMRC initial appraisal cases for capital gains tax cases within an average of 12 days (Number) 12 9.5   13.0 
			   
			  Value for money  
			 To improve productivity by 3 per cent. in 2007-08 (Percentage) 3 8 5.1 13.1  
			 To improve value for money on IHT work for HMRC by 5 per cent. (Percentage) 5 15   33 
			   
			  People  
			 All staff to have the core skills and competencies for their role within six months of taking up post (Percentage) 100 99 100 100 100 
		
	
	My predecessor announced to the House on 15 May 2008 the following national targets for the Agency for 2008-09. They are available at:
	http://www.voa.gov.uk/publications/forward_plan/Forward_Plan_2008-11.pdf

Valuation: Licensed Premises

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2008,  Official Report, column 1625W, on valuation: licensed premises, if he will place in the Library a copy of the updated manual on valuing licensed premises.

Stephen Timms: The latest version of the Rating Manual is available on the Valuation Office Agency's website at:
	www.voa.gov.uk
	This includes updated sections on licensed properties in preparation for the 2010 revaluation, these are:
	Rating Manual Volume 5: Section 825: Practice Note 2010;
	Rating Manual Volume 5 Section 825: Public Houses, Licensed Restaurants and Wine BarsPractice Note 1: 2010: Appendix 1: Approved Guide to Valuation; and
	Rating Manual Volume 5 Section 825: Public Houses, Licensed Restaurants and Wine BarsPractice Note 1: 2010: Appendix 2
	These are accessible at:
	http://www.voa.gov.uk/instructions/chapters/rating_manual/vol5/sect825/frame.htm

VAT: Bingo

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  on what grounds HM Revenue and Customs is contesting the recent ruling relating to overpaid VAT on interval games of bingo; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the implications of the recent HM Revenue and Customs Tribunal on the application of VAT on games of interval bingo.

Stephen Timms: Considerations of taxpayer confidentiality prevent HM Revenue and Customs from disclosing its grounds of appeal in the recent case, or its assessment of the implications of the Tribunal decision, neither of which are in the public domain.

VAT: Bingo

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications of the European Court of Justice ruling on Linneweber for the tax treatment of licensed bingo.

Angela Eagle: HM Revenue and Customs does not consider that the judgment has any implications for the tax treatment of bingo in the UK. It does not accept that there is any actual or potential distortion of competition in the UK caused by the different tax treatments and accordingly no breach of the principle of fiscal neutrality. This decision is being appealed in the High Court.

VAT: Energy

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1267W, on VAT: lighting, what progress he has made at EU level on his proposals for wider application of reduced value added tax rates to energy saving and energy efficient products; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: In response to a joint proposal from the UK and France for a reduced rate of VAT on energy-efficient products and energy-saving materials, and following the Conclusions of the Spring European Council, the European Commission has launched an external study to examine the economic effects of such measures. The Government's current understanding is that this study will be concluded within the coming months.

Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much was recovered by his Department in overpaid tax credits following court cases in each  (a) month of 2008-09 to date and  (b) year from 2003-04 to 2007-08; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much, on average, his Department clawed back per case of tax credits overpayment taken to court in each  (a) month of 2008-09 and  (b) of the last five financial years; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available. Departmental records do not link sums recovered with individual court cases.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Climate Change: Conferences

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's objectives are for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan; what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment and Climate Change about the conference; whether a Minister from his Department will be part of the Government's delegation; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Officials from the Department for International Development (DFID) will be attending the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) talks in Poznan as members of the UK delegation. DFID officials jointly lead for the UK on adaptation policy and on climate financing. The UK will be represented at ministerial level by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband, and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Joan Ruddock.
	The Poznan meeting is an important staging post en route to the Copenhagen meeting at the end of 2009, where we hope to secure global agreement on a long-term framework for addressing climate change that enables us to avoid dangerous climate change. Poznan should mark a turning point from the 'year of ideas' to the 'year of negotiations'. We will therefore be looking for commitment from all parties to move into full negotiating mode in 2009.

Departmental NDPBs

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department; and what budget each has been set for  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Gareth Thomas: The Department for International Development's (DFID) only non-departmental public body (NDPB) is the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), which was established by Act of Parliament in 1959.
	The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is responsible for managing the UK's contribution to the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP), an international programme under which all Commonwealth governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries.
	The budget that has been set for the CSC is 15.93 million for 2008-09, 17.43 million for 2009-10 and 17.5 million for 2010-11.

Departmental Public Relations

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Selby of 6 February 2007,  Official Report, column 767W, on public relations, what expenditure  (a) his Department and  (b) CDC has incurred on public affairs firms since 2002.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development's (DFID) central data management system does not currently hold information on public affairs as a separate category. It would therefore not be possible to provide the requested information for either DFID or CDC without incurring disproportionate cost.
	A list of contracts awarded by DFID since January 2005 is available on DFID's website
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/procurement/contractslet.asp.
	This includes the contract title, which provides an indication of the nature of work being carried out. The information published on our website does not include lower value contracts issued by DFID departments or overseas offices under delegated authority.

Djibouti: Overseas Aid

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much UK aid was given to Djibouti in  (a) 1997,  (b) 2001 and  (c) 2005.

Ivan Lewis: Details on UK aid to Djibouti since 1997-98 are laid out in the following table.
	
		
			  Total UK gross public expenditure on development (GPEX) to Djibouti, 1997-98 to 2007-08 
			  000 
			   Bilateral GPEX  UK imputed share of multilateral ODA( 1) 
			 1997-98 2 439 
			 1998-99 0 1,204 
			 1999-2000  7 
			 2000-01  2,446 
			 2001-02  569 
			 2002-03 14 2,208 
			 2003-04  455 
			 2004-05  1,585 
			 2005-06  1,109 
			 2006-07 3,944 1,482 
			 2007-08 176  
			 (1) 2007-08 data are not yet available 
		
	
	The 2006-07 and 2007-08 bilateral data in the above table are estimates of the value of DFID funding to the Education Fast Track Initiative (FTI) allocated to Djibouti. This allocation is based on the breakdown of expenditure reported by the FTI.

EU Aid

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the UK contribution to the EU international aid budget was in  (a) 2004,  (b) 2005,  (c) 2006 and  (d) 2007.

Douglas Alexander: Details on the UK's contribution to the European Commission's (EC's) development programme are laid out in the following table.
	
		
			  UK contribution to the EC's development programme, 2004-05 to 2007-08 
			   million 
			   2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 European Development Fund 253.7 234.4 238.0 280.0 
			 European Commission National Experts 1.1 0.9 1.2  
			 European Investment Bank 0.7 0.7 0.7  
			 UK's attribution of the EC's External Assistance Budget 966.6 955.9 883.3 920.3 
			 Total European Commission 1,222.0 1,192.0 1,123.2 1,200.3

India: Overseas Aid

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has for the future level of UK aid to India.

Douglas Alexander: With 456 million poor people living on less than $1.25 a day (the international poverty line), India is home to one-third of the world's poor. With such large numbers living in destitution, the world cannot make headway on poverty without tackling it in India. For this reason, the UK remains committed to its development programme in India. Currently there are no plans to decrease aid to India.

North Africa: EU Aid

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the European Commission on plans to increase EU aid to  (a) Morocco,  (b) Algeria,  (c) Libya and  (d) Egypt.

Douglas Alexander: The European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) represents the majority of the European Commission's aid to Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Egypt. The 2007-10 aid budgets for all countries under the ENPI were approved by EU member states, including the UK, in 2006. Country allocations will be considered again during the mid-term review of the ENPI in 2010, when the budgets for 2011-13 will be agreed. The Department for International Development (DFID) will continue to be involved with the European Commission during this process.

Overseas Aid: Voluntary Work

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many seats on British Airways' flights have been purchased under the Platform2 programme; at what cost; and how many and what percentage of them were used.

Douglas Alexander: Platform2 is implemented on behalf of the Department for International Development (DFID) by Christian Aid in partnership with Islamic Relief and the British Universities North America Club (BUNAC).
	A total of four economy British Airways flights have been purchased by BUNAC under the programme: two to Accra in Ghana (at a cost of 576.29 and 726), one to Cape Town, South Africa (1,118.26), and one to India (726). All four flights were used.

Overseas Aid: Water

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will increase the number of water wells which receive funding from his Department.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) is committed to increasing our level of funding for water and sanitation in Africa to 200 million a year by 2010, and maintaining it at this level for five years. This will involve a variety of measures, including water wells, to achieve better access to safe and clean drinking water.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps the Government has taken to protect aid workers in Palestine.

Douglas Alexander: The UK Government are not responsible for the safety of aid workers working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). We regularly post updated travel advice on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website which we urge all British nationals working in or travelling to the OPTs to follow.
	Department for International Development (DFID) staff posted abroad receive security briefing and training. While they are in country, office and home accommodation and local travel are security risk-assessed, and appropriate security safeguards are adopted. Consultants and contractors employed by DFID are responsible for their own security and safety arrangements. However, DFID seeks to ensure that they are appropriately briefed on security matters.
	DFID is also funding a UN Access Support Team to help humanitarian agencies and NGOs negotiate with the government of Israel to move humanitarian imports and staff into Gaza and within the west bank. This should reduce the time aid workers spend waiting at crossings, some of whichparticularly into Gazaare hazardous.

Palestinians: Overseas Aid

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps the Government has taken to promote economic development in Palestine.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) provided financial and technical support to the Palestinian Authority (PA) to host the first Palestine Investment Conference in Bethlehem in May this year, at which over 700 million of investment agreements were signed with mainly Arab companies. Following the success of the conference, the Prime Minister announced a further investment event to be hosted in London on 15-16 December 2008. This will build further momentum on the economic track of the peace process by helping to increase investment and economic relations between the UK and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
	DFID is also currently funding a new 3.7 million Facility for New Market Development (FNMD) to support Palestinian businesses to diversify and compete in new markets and enhance exports. During his visit in July this year, the Prime Minister presented the first grant awards to Palestinian entrepreneurs from this facility, and spoke at a seminar of leading UK and Palestinian businesspeople. The facility already has 23 clients, including seven businesses owned by women, and four coming from Gaza. DFID has also provided the PA with 3 million to help it pay off its private sector debts. This benefited firms in both Gaza and the west bank.
	In parallel with these activities, the UK Government have called on the government of Israel to ease the restrictions on the movement of Palestinian people and goods.

Racial Harassment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in the last 12 months.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) has received no complaints of racial abuse relating to staff in the last 12 months.

Republic of Congo: Politics and Government

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the government of Congo-Brazzaville on reports of corruption in that country.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not have a bilateral programme with Congo-Brazzaville and has had no formal discussions with its government. However, Congo-Brazzaville is a candidate country in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) which DFID supports. The EITI brings together governments, business and civil society to increase transparency over extractive revenue flows from companies to governments.
	Further information is available on the EITI website:
	http://eitransparency.org/.

Russia: Overseas Aid

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much UK aid was given to Russia in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2007.

Douglas Alexander: Details on UK aid to Russia are laid out in the following table.
	
		
			  UK total bilateral gross public expenditure on development (GPEX) 2005-06 to 2007-08 
			   Russia  (000) 
			 2005-06 5,684 
			 2006-07 5,945 
			 2007-08 373

Somalia: International Assistance

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate has been made of the proportion of the Somali population which does not have access to aid due to the withdrawal of humanitarian agencies from the country.

Ivan Lewis: The humanitarian situation in Somalia continues to be of great concern to the UK Government. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) does not have an official estimate of the proportion of the Somali population unable to access to aid due to the withdrawal of humanitarian agencies. However, a contingency plan has been put into place and other agencies have stepped in quickly to fill the gap left by the withdrawal. Our partners, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), World Food Programme (WFP) and UNOCHA, remain responsive, and operational on the ground despite the difficult conditions and aid is still being delivered to the most vulnerable. Reports from the WFP indicate that 2.3 million Somalis will receive food aid in November.
	Since January 2008, the UK Government have provided 20.5 million, and will shortly release a further 6.5 million, towards assisting the humanitarian situation in Somalia.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Jobcentre Plus

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to ensure that Jobcentre Plus is able to react rapidly to announcements of clusters of redundancies in a particular area.

James Purnell: On 12 November we announced that we are doubling the funding for the Jobcentre Plus' Rapid Response Service, from 3 million to 6 million for this financial year.
	We will offer a Rapid Response Service to all employers declaring 20 or more redundancies and will also offer support where there are clusters of redundancies which require extra measures to help people find work.

Pensioner Poverty

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of poverty levels among married pensioners.

Rosie Winterton: Between 1998-99 and 2006-07, 900,000 pensioners have been lifted out of relative poverty, measured as below 60 per cent. of contemporary median household income after housing costs. Around 200,000 of these are pensioners living with a partner.
	Today, after housing costs are accounted for, pensioners who are living with a partner are less likely to be living in poverty than the population as a whole.

Personal Accounts

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects personal accounts to commence.

Rosie Winterton: Our package for reforms will transform the savings culture in the UK, helping many millions to buildand enjoya decent income in retirement. Auto-enrolment will overcome the indecision and inertia that prevents many people from saving.
	The personal accounts scheme is a critical element of these reforms.
	As we have always said, our plan is to introduce these reforms from 2012.

Personal Accounts

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the cost of establishing the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority and other costs associated with the proposed personal accounts scheme  (a) at the date on which the scheme was proposed and  (b) in each month to date; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 May 2008,  Official Report, column 410W to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling).
	I cannot reveal the estimated costs associated with the personal accounts scheme as these estimates are commercially sensitive until the commercial procurement of services underpinning the scheme is complete.
	Actual expenditure associated with the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority from its creation until 31 March 2008 was 12.43 million. For 2008-09, the authority received an initial budget allocation of 36.1 million. My Department reviews the allocation throughout the year and will be considering the budget for 2009-10 in light of the anticipated passage of the Pensions Bill and the extended role of the authority, which includes setting up the personal accounts scheme.
	The Government remain confident that the delivery authority will deliver a personal accounts scheme that offers low charges to members and is self-financing in the long-term, such that its costs of establishment and operation are met through members' charges.

Benefits Advice

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will assess the effect on benefit claimants of private companies operating premium rate telephone lines claiming to offer benefits advice.

Tony McNulty: The Department for Work and Pensions makes advice on benefits and a wide range of other entitlements easily accessible to everyone through a variety of channels including information leaflets, telephone helplines, websites, and through intermediary organisations working closely with us.
	These sources of help and information are consistently promoted through the DWP website, phone books, in Jobcentres, Pension centres and by local authorities and through promotional campaigns.
	Where people are seeking information on entitlements, they should turn to the relevant DWP Agency or trusted sources of information like Age Concern or the Citizen's Advice Bureau.
	Other organisations promoting benefits advice services on a commercial basis are the responsibility of the service Regulator to monitor their operation and to take action where necessary to control them.

Benefit Payments Non-residents

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions What estimate he has made of the monetary value of benefits paid by his Department to citizens of other EU countries not resident in the UK in the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: Nationality is not a condition of entitlement to DWP benefits and pensions, so it is not recorded. I can however tell you that the latest figures available show that the UK Government paid 1.01 billion in benefits and pensions during the period 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2008 for both UK nationals and EU citizens living in other EU countries.

Benefit Payments Non-residents

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the monetary value of benefits paid by his Department to citizens of other EU countries not resident in the UK in the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: Nationality is not a condition of entitlement to DWP benefits and pensions, so it is not recorded. I can however tell you that the latest figures available show that the UK Government paid 1.01 billion in benefits and pensions during the period 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2008 for both UK nationals and EU citizens living in other EU countries.

Mental Illness

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to assist people with a mental illness or recovering from a mental illness to enter employment.

Jonathan R Shaw: We recognise the employment challenges that people with mental health conditions face and we are working to develop a National Strategy for Mental Health and Work, to ensure a coordinated response across Government to the challenges faced by people of working age with mental health conditions and improve their employment chances.

Incapacity Benefit

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had on policy to enable people to move from incapacity benefit to employment.

Jonathan R Shaw: Our Green Paper 'No-one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility' proposed a range of further steps to help people on incapacity benefits realise the personal benefits of moving into work. As part of the consultation process we have met with various groups representing disabled people to discuss welfare reform policy.
	The Government will be publishing their response to the consultation in due course.

Incapacity Benefit

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make an assessment of the effects of  (a) low wages and  (b) migrant workers on the number of incapacity benefit claimants in principal seaside towns; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Pathways to Work programme is now providing support for incapacity benefit and employment and support allowance customers across the whole country. Government and independent research continues to find no significant evidence of negative employment effects from migration. We do not plan to make a specific assessment of the effects on incapacity benefit claimants in seaside towns.

Jobcentre Staff

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to increase staffing levels at Jobcentres in response to recent projections of rising unemployment.

Tony McNulty: The Government's investment in Jobcentre Plus means that we are well placed to deal with the full range of economic conditions.
	However, in recognition of the current situation and the anticipated increase in our workload, we intend to employ an additional 2,200 full-time equivalent staff by March 2009. Some of this increase is already in place and we have set in hand a fast track recruitment process to enable us to achieve this as quickly as possible.
	Staffing levels will be kept under active review in order to respond to rising economic challenges.

Disability Living Allowance

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has to extend the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance to people with severe sight loss.

Jonathan R Shaw: We have had very constructive discussions with the Royal National Institute of Blind People and others on their proposal to extend the higher rate mobility component of disability living allowance to people with severe visual impairments.
	I welcomed the opportunity attend the RNIB lobby of Parliament on 15 October, along with hundreds of blind and visually impaired people from all around the UK. I certainly recognise the force of the arguments made and I look forward to working with the Royal National Institute of Blind People on this important issue.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are claiming jobseeker's allowance.

Tony McNulty: The number of people in the UK claiming jobseeker's allowance in October was 980.9 thousand.

Jobseeker's Allowance

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseeker's allowance claimants there were in  (a) the UK and  (b) Clwyd West constituency on the latest date for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The number of people in the UK claiming jobseeker's allowance in October was 980.9 thousand.
	In Clwyd West the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance was 1,053.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average period was for which jobseeker's allowance was claimed in each month in each of the last three years, broken down by the smallest geographical area for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Mortgage Support

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assistance his Department provides in respect of mortgage repayments to people who become unemployed.

Jim Devine: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support his Department offers in respect of mortgage repayments to people who have lost their jobs.

Kitty Ussher: I refer the hon. Members to the answer given by the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby).

Access to Work Programme

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the budget for Access to Work will be in each of the next six years; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Access to Work budget for 2008-09 is 69 million. The Green Paper 'No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility', Cm 7363, announced that the budget for Access to Work will be doubled. The budget will be steadily increased to 138 million by 2013-14.

Benefit Fraud Inspectorate: Standards

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what national targets there are for the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate; and what the performance of its activities in Devon has been against these targets in each year since they were set.

Tony McNulty: The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate closed for business on 31 March 2008.
	Responsibilities for assessing and reporting on local authorities benefit services now rest with the appropriate audit bodies in England, Scotland and Wales.
	No national or local performance targets were set for the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate.

Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission: ICT

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which computer system the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission will use to calculate maintenance payments for their customers; what system the Child Support Agency has used hitherto; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 6 November 2008
	 The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Commissioner to write to my right hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which computer system the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission will use to calculate maintenance payments for their customers; what system the Child Support Agency has used hitherto; and if he will make a statement.
	The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission took responsibility for the Child Support Agency functions, assets and people from 1 November 2008. In doing so it took responsibility for both of the existing statutory maintenance schemes. The Agency uses the computer system known as CSCS to manage some cases assessed under the Child Support Act 1991, and the CS2 system for some cases assessed under the Child Support Act 1991 and for all cases assessed under the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000.
	The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission expects to introduce the new gross income statutory maintenance scheme in 2011 and all Agency clients on both schemes will then be invited either to apply to the new gross income scheme or to make a private arrangement. It is currently planned that this process will take around three years, after which time both of the current schemes will close.
	The Commission is currently inviting tenders for the computer system to support this new statutory maintenance scheme.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Child Support Agency cases were unresolved three months after initiation at the latest date for which figures are available.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 10 November 2008
	The administration of the child maintenance system is a matter for the Commissioner of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Child Support Agency cases were unresolved three months after initiation at the latest date for which figures are available.
	At the end of September 2008, there were a total of 95,900 uncleared applications across both child maintenance schemes. Of these, 65,100 were uncleared current scheme applications over 12 weeks old and 20,200 were uncleared old scheme applications, which by definition are all over 12 weeks old. This is a significant reduction on the March 2006 total of 284,000 outstanding applications, at which point we put the Operational Improvement Plan in place.
	Additional information on uncleared cases can be found in tables 2.1 and 5 of the Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary of Statistics, the latest copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library or online at:
	www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/csa.asp
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Maintenance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of new Child Support Agency cases were resolved within six weeks of receipt in the latest period for which figures are available.

Kitty Ussher: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of new Child Support Agency cases were resolved within six weeks of receipt in the latest period for which figures are available.
	The latest available information concerning the length of time it takes the Agency to clear new applications is routinely set out in Table 3 of the Child Support agency Quarterly Summary of Statistics (QSS), the latest copy of which is available in the House of Commons library or online at:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/csa.asp.
	The latest statistics show that of all the applications received in July 2008, 71% were cleared within 6 weeks. They also show that there were 75,700 uncleared applications on the current scheme as at September 2008, compared to 106,100 in March 2008: a reduction of 30,400.
	The Agency is currently surpassing the commitment set out in the Operational Improvement Plan to improve client service by reducing the length of time taken to clear new applications. The Agency committed to clearing 80% of new applications within 12 weeks by March 2009 and the latest information shows that 85% of the June 2008 intake was cleared within 12 weeks.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Christmas

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department does not have any account codes or categories to specifically identify spend on Christmas cards, parties or decorations. However, it does have in place a policy not to incur this kind of expense.

Connecting for Health

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of buying out the Connecting for Health contracts.

Ben Bradshaw: I have been asked to reply.
	Each national programme for information technology (NPfIT) contract contains provisions for penalties to be paid in the event of premature termination of the contract by either party. The penalty payable would depend upon the circumstances leading to termination, and be either settled by agreement between the parties or, ultimately, be determined by a court. It is not possible to make a meaningful estimate of what the sum would be in respect of all NPfIT contracts because of the number of possible variables involved.

Departmental Catering

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether food and drink on sale to staff of  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department provides an annual subsidy of 3.4 million for various catering outlets that sell food and drink to staff. This subsidy allows outlets to remain viable and varies depending on a number of factors, such as location and canteen usage.

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department and its agencies have spent on  (a) flat screen televisions,  (b) DVD players and  (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department's capitalisation policy is to treat items costing over 5,000, either on an individual or a pooled basis, as capital assets recorded within the fixed asset register. No expenditure on flat screen televisions, DVD players or stereo equipment has been capitalised during the last three years.
	The Department does not have any account codes or categories to specifically identify any spend on these categories which may fall below the capitalisation threshold and thus to try and identify any such expenditure would incur a disproportionate amount of time and cost.

Departmental ICT

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of data cleansing of his Department's customer information system was in each year since 2004.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Financial year  Data cleansing( 1)  (000) 
			 2008-09 460 
			 2007-08 390 
			 2006-07 312 
			 2005-06 290 
			 2004-05 290 
			 (1) Ongoing costs for data cleansing work are drawn from the cost of a data maintenance team and the delivery of related change requests. Other Government Departments may also contribute to data cleansing in regards to shared data. This amount is not included in the table as it could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Internet

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of maintaining his Department's website was in 2007-08; and what the forecast costs of maintaining it are in 2008-09.

Jonathan R Shaw: Maintenance of DWP websites including www.dwp.gov.uk is mostly carried out by the Department's own in-house digital media team. It is not possible for us to quantify internal staff costs, because in most cases, staff are engaged in more than one role. In addition, we are unable to establish accurately our infrastructure costs because they form part of a wider departmental IT contract.
	DWP is currently working with the COI to develop a standardised method for quantifying website costs across Government. We will be implementing this standard from March 2009 in line with the current timetable.

Departmental Internet

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) page hits and  (b) visitors his Department's website received in 2007-08.

Jonathan R Shaw: The website
	www.dwp.gov.uk
	received 9,979,110 visitors, 6,034,988 unique visitors and 51,469,970 page views 2007-08.

Departmental Lost Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what  (a) equipment and  (b) data was lost by his Department in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department takes its responsibilities for the protection of personal data very seriously.
	 (a) Since 1 December 2007, three laptops and four memory sticks were recorded as lost by the Department.
	 (b) The Department has recorded three instances of personal data related incidents during 2007-08 in its resource accounts which were published on 13 August 2008.

Departmental Marketing

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on advertising in each of the last five years.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 16 October 2008
	Government policies and programmes affect the lives of millions of people and in order for them to work they must be communicated effectively. However, this has also to be done with cost efficiency in mind and there are strict rules to ensure value for money on Government advertising.
	Much Government advertising aims to alert people to things that can save livesand we make no apologies for campaigns like thissuch as wearing seat belts, not drinking and driving, quitting smoking and what to do in an emergency. We also use our communications work to protect public funds, for example through our work to drive down benefit fraud.
	The other main area of activity is in recruiting people to important frontline services such as in attracting more people to become nurses and police, which are crucial to the public's welfare.
	Advertising spend within the DWP covers both campaign advertising and recruitment advertising.
	Advertising costs in the following table are for total media spend only and exclude the cost of creative work, research, production of supporting materials or launch events.
	All costs are exclusive of VAT, advertising rebates and audit adjustments.
	The majority of departmental spend on advertising is via the Central Office of Information (COI) rosters.
	Total spend that is held centrally or with the COI is as follows:
	
		
			   million 
			 2003-04 37,423 
			 2004-05 22,338 
			 2005-06 11,211 
			 2006-07 6,579 
			 2007-08 9,179

Departmental Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff in his Department and its agencies are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08.

Jonathan R Shaw: In 2007-08, a central branding team comprising of two full-time posts advised on the development, promotion, and use of the departmental corporate brand, promoted guidelines and best practice and ensured consistency and clarity in the use of the brand across the range of Departmental communications.
	Our agency brands were managed by two posts with responsibility for ensuring the consistency of the brands on our customer facing products and communications.
	The cost of these four posts over the period 2007-08 was 130,140.

Departmental NDPBs

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department; and what budget each has been set for  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Jonathan R Shaw: The remit of each non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions can be found on the Department's Internet site at the following location
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/ndpb/publicbodies.asp#ndpb.
	In respect of the budget information requested, I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member on 30 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1197W which refers to the executive NDPBs budgets. The advisory NDPBs sponsored by the Department incur little or no expenditure and are resourced from within the Department. As a result, information on the advisory NDPBs budgets for 2008-11 is not available.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on entertainment by his Department at Caxton House in 2007-08.

Jonathan R Shaw: While the Department separately identifies expenditure on entertainment within its agencies and business units, this information is not recorded by location. It would not, therefore, be possible to provide this information without incurring a disproportionate amount of time and cost.

Departmental Older Workers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people recruited by his Department in 2007-08 were aged over  (a) 55 years and  (b) 60 years; and what percentage this represented of the number of new recruits in each case.

Jonathan R Shaw: I refer the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam to the answer I gave on 29 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1074W.

Departmental Redundancy

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many posts will be discontinued in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies to achieve the planned 12,000 headcount reduction; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department achieved significant work force and financial efficiencies over the Spending Review 2004 period with a reduction in its total work force of over 31,000 and an increase in productivity of 11 per cent., between March 2004 and March 2008.
	The Department's three-year plan for 2008 to 2011 published in February 2008 contained planning assumptions of further headcount reductions of 12,000 between April 2008 and March 2011. The plan is available in the Library.
	The recent increase in unemployment will have an impact on departmental staffing levels. In particular, in 2008-09, the Department plans to retain many of the staff employed to support the introduction of the new employment and support allowance implementation in order to deal with increased work loads.
	Plans for future years are being actively reviewed as part of the Department's planning process.

Departmental Responsibilities

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which  (a) external and  (b) internal programmes of his Department and its agencies cost between 1 million and 50 million; and what the (i) purpose and (ii) expected completion date of each is.

Jonathan R Shaw: All projects/programmes within DWP are subject to a formal monitoring and governance process. However, within this monitoring/governance process, there are two levels.
	 1. Monitoring by Investment Committee/Change Delivery Committee (CDC)
	Projects which form part of the CDC Portfolio are projects/programmes where they require:
	a. an up-front investment cost of over 25 million and/or,
	b. requires a commitment of steady state ongoing costs in excess of 10 million per annum (DEL Admin/DEL Programme/or AME); and/or,
	c. an Office of Government Commerce Risk Potential Assessment Score of 41 points or over; and/or
	d. make a significant contribution to the Department's objectives (this is taken to include a close alignment with a ministerial objective, a public sector agreement target or a target set by the centre of Government for the Department as a whole).
	 2. Projects Managed by Business Unit Governance Boards
	These are still subjected to a formal process but are projects which fall outside the scope of CDC because they have lower financial investment.
	The majority of the projects/programmes covered in this response are monitored and managed within the CDC Portfolio, and are therefore within the 25 million to 50 million range. However, for some IS-IT projects, we have already collected these data and these have also been included.
	For the majority of projects managed by business units (1 million to 25 million) we are unable to provide details due to the disproportionate cost associated with obtaining these details.
	When assessing the costs of the projects to be included, the 'investment (i.e. one-off)' costs of the project/programme have been used. Costs of running the solutions implemented by the projects and programmes are not included as in the vast majority of cases they are more than compensated for by the financial benefits they generate.
	
		
			  Project  (i) Purpose  (ii) Expected completion date 
			 Document Repository Service(1) This project seeks to support the Department's modernisation programmes through the provision of a document repository to store digitised images of documents received from customers (letters, faxes, e-mails etc.), cutting down paper in the organisation March 2009 
			 On Time Solution Provide a range of improved information services to DWP businesses, including improved quicker management information, fraud and error intervention and analysis March 2011 
			 Provider Referrals and Payment Project Deploy an IT system to automate and e-enable transactions between Jobcentre Plus and training providers June 2010 
			 Local Services Integration Programme To provide local services with an IT solution that supports the end to end process December 2011 
			 Government Connect To roll out a secure data network connecting Government and local authorities, including secure file transfer, e-mail and web-browser capability March 2011 
			 Method of Payment Reform MPRP will develop modern, electronic, secure and efficient methods of payments for customers who require payment by an alternate means other than direct payment to bank accounts. March 2011 
			 Tell Us Once TUO is a major cross Government initiative, led by DWP, to transform the way in which people can tell Government (central and local) about changes to their circumstances April 2009 
			 Data Centre Strategy The project is addressing the ongoing continued threat of business service continuity at Washington Data Centre with a replacement strategy to be complete by the end of 2010 2010 
			 Lone Parent Obligations LPO is part of welfare reform and intends increasing the lone parent employment rate. Currently lone parents are not required to seek employment until their youngest child reaches 16. Under new proposals to be phased in (starting with youngest child aged 12), lone parents will no longer be entitled to income support solely for being a lone parent if their youngest child is above seven. In the last year before entitlement ceases, work-focused interviews will take place to encourage lone parents to take up training opportunities, leading to employment February 2011 
			 Provider Led Pathways to Work (PL Pathways) Central to the welfare reform agenda, this project will contract the private and voluntary sector to provide additional help and support for all but the most severely ill or disabled incapacity benefit customers gaining employment. Additional help will be provided through additional mandatory monthly work-focused interviews and tailored, job-focused support, including help to manage customer's health condition, especially in relation to work April 2008 
			 Jobseekers Regime and Flexible New Deal This programme will replace and streamline the current new deal programmes and will concentrate on tackling the challenging problems of those who remain unemployed despite a strong economy and historically low unemployment. The programme will include provision of obtaining skills and mandatory work experience for customers October 2010 
			 Periodicity and Payday This project forms part of the Working Age (WA) Benefit Simplification Programme to align and extend payment periods for all WA benefits on an incremental basis so that they would over time be paid on a fortnightly basis, wholly in arrears. A single payday will be assigned to each individual, regardless of the benefits they receive July 2009 
			 (1) Document Repository System: The date shown for the expected completion date (March 2009) is the End Project Review (EPR) date. A completion date of November 2008 has been previously quoted; this refers to the 1(st) Go Live Date which was delivered to the original planned deadline.

Departmental Statistics

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what statistical releases and reports  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies intend to publish in the next calendar year.

Jonathan R Shaw: All National Statistics released by the Department or its agencies are pre-announced on the Release Calendar run by the UK Statistics Authority, in line with the National Statistics Code of Practice.

Departmental Visits Abroad

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many overseas visits he has made in his official capacity since his appointment.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Secretary of State has made three overseas visits in his official capacity since his appointment.

Deprivation Indicators: Children

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what indicators his Department uses to monitor levels of child poverty; and if he will make a statement on trends in these indicators since 1997.

Kitty Ussher: The Department uses three indicators to monitor levels of child poverty; they were established in 2003 following a lengthy period of consultation.
	Absolute low income measures whether the poorest families are seeing their income rise in real terms. The threshold is fixed as equal to the relative low income threshold for the baseline year of 1998-99 expressed in today's prices.
	Relative low income measures whether the incomes of the poorest families are keeping pace with the growth of incomes in the economy as a whole. This indicator measures the number of children living in households below 60 per cent. of contemporary median equivalised income. This is the indicator which is used to measure performance against the public service agreement target to halve child poverty by 2010-11.
	Material deprivation and low income combined provides a wider measure of people's living standards. This indicator measures the number of children living in households that are both materially deprived and have an income below 70 per cent. of contemporary equivalised median income.
	Since 1998 progress has been made against all of the indicators. 600,000 children have been lifted out of relative low income between 1998-99 and 2006-07, a shift from 3.4 million children to 2.9 million children. The number of children living in absolute low income has halved from 3.4 million to 1.7 million.
	Between 2004-05, the first year data were available, and 2006-07 the number of children in the UK defined as poor using the combined indicator of relative low income and material deprivation fell by 200,000 from 2.2 million to 2.0 million on the particular material deprivation threshold that was chosen.
	Low income is not the only dimension to poverty and a child's quality of life, including access to health care, education and a safe environment, are critical.
	The three indicators are therefore underpinned by the broader Opportunity for all indicators. Opportunity for all is the Government's report on poverty and social exclusion which includes a wide range of poverty and social exclusion indicators for children and young people (as well as working age adults, older people and communities) including health, education and housing. Details can be found on the Opportunity for all website at
	www.dwp.gov.uk/ofa.

Disability Living Allowance: Sight Impaired

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people with a visual impairment have received  (a) the lower rate and  (b) the higher rate of the mobility component of the disability living allowance in the last 12 months.

Jonathan R Shaw: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Disability living allowance cases in payment with blindness as the main disabling condition by mobility award rate: Great Britain 
			   Higher rate  Lower rate 
			 May 2008 4,600 58,040 
			 February 2008 4,640 57,490 
			 November 2007 4,650 57,200 
			 August 2007 4,630 56,760 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Figures show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example if they are in hospital. 3. Where the claimant is eligible for both care and mobility components, the disabling condition associated with the mobility component is shown here. Where more than one disability is present only the main disabling condition is recorded. 4. Figures are published on the DWP website at www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/tabtool.asp  Source: DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data.

Disability Living Allowance: Sight Impaired

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) blind and  (b) partially sighted people living in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency received the mobility component of disability living allowance at the lower rate in each year since 2003.

Jonathan R Shaw: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Disability living allowance claimants in Bexleyheath and Crayford parliamentary constituency receiving lower rate mobility component where the main disabling condition is blindness 
			  As at May each year  Number 
			 2003 80 
			 2004 80 
			 2005 80 
			 2006 90 
			 2007 90 
			 2008 90 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Totals show the number of people in receipt of an allowance and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example, if they are in hospital. 3. Where the claimant is eligible for both care and mobility components, the disabling condition associated with the mobility component is shown here. Where more than one disability is present, only the main disabling condition is recorded. 4. These figures are published on the internet website at: https://www.nomisweb.co.uk  Source: DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data.

Disabled

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people with disabilities his Department employs.

Jonathan R Shaw: The number of staff who have declared themselves to be disabled is 6,075, 5.7 per cent. of the work force.
	However, while the Department encourages staff to make a declaration, declaration is voluntary. We are aware that not all disabled staff do declare that they consider themselves to be disabled, and the true figure may be higher than this. For example, the 2008 DWP staff survey (which is completed anonymously), showed that 13.6 per cent. of respondents considered themselves to have a long standing health condition or disability.

Employment and Support Allowance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much employment and support allowance was paid on average in each week of the last period for which figures are available.

Jonathan R Shaw: Employment and support allowance was introduced on 27 October 2008 for new customers claiming on the grounds of disability. New customers will go onto an assessment rate for 13 weeks while their medical condition is assessed. While on the assessment phase customers are paid the same amount, 60.50. However, we have fast-tracked a small number of customers who are terminally ill directly onto the support group, where they receive the higher rate of 89.50 immediately.
	Information about average payments for employment and support allowance is not yet available.

Employment Level

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many British born people of  (a) working age and  (b) 16 years old and over were in employment in each year since 1997.

Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated November 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many British born people of (a) working age and (b) 16 years old and over were in employment in each year since 1997. (237132)
	The attached table gives the number of people in employment in the UK for the categories requested, from July-September 2001 to July-September 2008. The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Estimates for years prior to 2001 are not available because the question asking for the part of the UK in which a respondent was born was not introduced into the LFS until spring 2001. As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	The figures in the table are derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. They are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  Employment levels for British born( 1)  people, by agethree months ending September, 2001 to 2008, United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			   Working age( 2)  16 and over 
			 2001 23,730 24,484 
			 2002 23,921 24,706 
			 2003 24,053 24,918 
			 2004 24,163 25,033 
			
			 2005 24,209 25,145 
			 2006 24,026 25,064 
			 2007 23,849 24,950 
			 2008(3) *23,759 *24,944 
			 (1) Excludes UK born people who did not state the part of the UK in which they were born. (2) Men aged 16-64 and women aged 16-59 (3) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described as follows: Guide to Quality:  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV) (%) Statistical Robustness * 0  CV 5 Estimates are considered precise ** 5  CV  10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10  CV  20 Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV ≥ 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes  Note: These estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc).  Source: Labour Force Survey

Employment Service

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) Employment Service and  (b) Benefit Agency offices, accessible to the public there were in each year for which records are available, broken down by region.

Jonathan R Shaw: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many Employment Service and Benefit Agency offices, accessible to the public, there were in each year for which records are available, broken down by region. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	At Annex 1 I have attached information on the number of Jobcentre Plus customer-facing offices there have been since April 2002 when Jobcentre Plus was created. Information on the separate networks operated by the Employment Service and Benefits Agency prior to 2002 is not available.
	Jobcentre Plus inherited around 1,500 offices from the merger of the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service. Often customers would have to walk from one office to the next to look for work and then deal with changes in their benefit claim. As we have modernised to improve customer service, we have been able to rationalise this estate to provide excellent high street coverage and reduce cost to the tax payer. We remain the largest office network in Government with 747 modern Jobcentres which are supported by 31 contact centres and 79 main benefit processing centres. This has brought our customer-facing services together in a more coherent and integrated network.
	Jobcentres continue to provide an essential serviceespecially to those customers most in need of tailored help. However, the great majority of our services (in common with most large, modern organisations) are now also delivered through the telephone and internet. For example, to give customers more convenient access we have more than half a million vacancies on-line at any time (our website receives close to one million job searches every working day), and new claims to benefit are predominantly taken by telephone with some taken on-line.
	All this is vastly improving the service Jobcentre Plus can provide for all its customers and ensures that it is delivered in the best way for them.
	Annex 1:
	
		
			  Jobcentre Plus customer-facing offices 
			  Region  1 October 2008  1 January 2008  1 January 2007  1 January 2006  1 January 2005  1 January 2004  1 January 2003  1 January 2002 
			 East of England 57 60 65 72 84 85 90 90 
			 East Midlands 53 59 56 69 71 75 83 83 
			 London 77 80 90 114 121 132 138 139 
			 North East 45 45 49 53 60 64 65 65 
			 North West 97 101 112 129 139 153 160 160 
			 Scotland 99 101 103 125 139 150 153 153 
			 South East 76 81 82 97 107 121 123 123 
			 South West 57 64 83 91 102 114 118 118 
			 Wales 63 63 64 87 95 108 111 111 
			 West Midlands 63 64 79 98 105 108 115 116 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 60 65 61 68 79 87 88 88 
			 Total of all regions 747 783 844 1,003 1,102 1,197 1,244 1,246

Employment Services: Data Protection

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training his Department's employment advisers receive in the requirements of data protection legislation.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what training his Department's employment advisers receive in the requirements of data protection legislation. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	All Jobcentre Plus employment advisers undergo a comprehensive training process regarding the requirements of data protection legislation as it relates to the work that they do. This includes, but is not restricted to, matters of data confidentiality, under what circumstances data may and may not be shared, and matters relating to information stored on our databases that hold confidential details relating to members of their public.
	Jobcentre Plus has, as an integral part of its core foundation training, an interactive data protection workbook. The workbook has been designed to help our advisers navigate the data protection element of the DWP Intranet site, which provides extensive advice about data protection legislation as it relates to the work of Jobcentre Plus.

Employment: Disabled

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what percentage of people with disabilities referred to the Shaw Trust by his Department's agencies have successfully entered  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time employment in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many people with disabilities referred to the Shaw Trust by his Department's agencies have successfully secured  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time jobs in the last six months.

Tony McNulty: The Department does not hold central records of the total number of people with disabilities referred to Shaw Trust and therefore figures to show the number of successful referrals as a percentage of all referrals could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Details of the number of people with disabilities referred to Shaw Trust's New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) contract, who have successfully entered full or part-time employment in each of the last three years, and during the last six months, is provided in the following table. Shaw Trust also has a number of other small contracts including Workstep, Work Prep and Pathways to Work. The number of disabled people moving into full or part time work through these contracts is 2,167. Information to show the number of people separately entering full and part time work in these contracts is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  NDDP Job outcomes 
			   Full time jobs  Part time jobs  Total 
			 2007-08 7,815 599 8,414 
			 2006-07 7,207 1,179 8,386 
			 2005-06 8,088 1,129 9,217 
			 April to September 2008 3,562 85 3,647

Health and Safety Executive: Manpower

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff are employed in the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Directorate  (a) on a full-time equivalent basis and  (b) on a headcount basis, broken down by grade.

Jonathan R Shaw: The answer to this question is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  The number of staff employed in the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Directorate at 1 October 2008 
			  Job band( 1)  Headcount  Full-time equivalent 
			 Band 1 28 27.19 
			 Band 2 115 110.09 
			 Band 3 62 61.61 
			 Band 4 14 12.83 
			 Band 5 30 27.72 
			 Band 6 65 53.78 
			 SCS(2) 7 6.47 
			 Total 321 299.69 
			 (1) Grade.  (2) Senior civil servants. 
		
	
	These figures exclude nine agency administrative staff and four temporary secondees/contractors.

Hotels

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on hotel bills by his Department in 2007-08.

Jonathan R Shaw: During the 12 months from April 2007 to March 2008 the Department employed an average of 114,000 staff.
	The Department's expenditure on hotel accommodation for the financial year April 2007 to March 2008 was 11,577,103.

Incapacity Benefit: Medical Examinations

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has to reassess existing incapacity benefit claimants under the new work capability assessment; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave her on 11 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1115W.

Jobcentre Plus: Manpower

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff were employed by Jobcentre Plus  (a) call centres and  (b) to act as advisers carrying out work-focussed interviews in each of the last 24 months.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus. I have asked the acting chief executive to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many staff were employed by Jobcentre Plus (a) Call Centres in each of the last 24 months and (b) to act as advisers carrying out work-focussed interviews in the same timescale. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The following table provides the number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) employed (a) in Call Centres and (b) as work-focussed interview (WFI) advisers within the period September 2006 to August 2008.
	
		
			  Number of FTEs employed with call centres and as WFI advisers within the period September 2006 to August 2008 
			   Call centres  WFI advisers 
			 September 2006 6,378.87 9,133.02 
			 October 2006 6,402.77 9,246.98 
			 November 2006 6,474.91 9,100.20 
			 December 2006 6,556.03 9,072.75 
			 January 2007 6,578.63 9,077.62 
			 February 2007 6,541.57 9,028.85 
			 March 2007 6,382.54 8,891.65 
			 April 2007 6,228.88 9,367.16 
			 May 2007 6,262.84 9,325.93 
			 June 2007 6,302.19 9,287.60 
			 July 2007 6,417.60 9,295.78 
			 August 2007 6,397.54 9,255.04 
			 September 2007 6,346.56 9,318.09 
			 October 2007 6,349.25 9,293.58 
			 November 2007 6,383.66 9,281.18 
			 December 2007 6,438.06 9,282.07 
			 January 2008 6,403.93 9,280.73 
			 February 2008 6,359.24 9,222.51 
			 March 2008 6,209.55 9,198.13 
			 April 2008 6,061.53 8,918.29 
			 May 2008 5,945.55 8,950.17 
			 June 2008 6,061.53 8,967.20 
			 July 2008 6,266.83 9,053.78 
			 August 2008 6,164.68 9,015.52 
			  Source:  Information for parliamentary questions is usually obtained from the Jobcentre Plus management information portal and this has been the source of data for the call centre figures. Information on job roles is not available within the Jobcentre Plus management information portal and therefore the work-focussed interview adviser figures have been extracted from the activity based management system (ABM).

Jobcentre Plus: Manpower

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the staffing levels at Jobcentre Plus are sufficient during the economic downturn.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. I have asked the Acting Chief Executive to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the staffing levels at Jobcentre Plus are sufficient during the economic downturn. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus's staffing assumption for March 2009 has been increased by an additional 2,200 full time equivalents from 65,453 to 67,653 in recognition of the anticipated workloads.
	We intend to increase staffing from our current position of 66,733 by recruiting additional staff and have set in hand a fast track recruitment process to enable us to obtain staff as quickly as possible.
	Our staffing levels will be kept under active review in order to respond to rising economic challenges.
	I hope this is helpful.

Jobcentre Plus: Public Appointments

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  when the appointment of the new Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus will be announced; and when the new chief executive will take up the post;
	(2)  when the recruitment process for the new Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus began.

Tony McNulty: The Department for Work and Pensions received approval from the Cabinet Office at the end of October to take forward an external recruitment exercise to appoint a new Chief Executive for Jobcentre Plus. The appointment will be announced after the recruitment process has been completed.

Jobcentre Plus: Telephone Services

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many calls were received by Jobcentre Plus call centres in each of the last 24 months; what the average waiting time was for such calls to be dealt with in each month; and how many dropped calls there were in each month.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked the Acting Chief Executive to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many calls were received by Jobcentre Plus call centres in each of the last 24 months; what the average waiting time was for such calls to be dealt with in each month; and how many dropped calls there were in each month. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus currently has 31 contact centres offering telephony services to our customers.
	The following table provides information on:
	the number of calls offered and answered by Jobcentre Plus contact centres for the past 24 months.
	the number of 'abandoned' calls each month for the past 24 months. This is the number of callers who hang up (terminate the call) whilst waiting in the queue for their call to be answered.
	average speed of answer times. This is the average length of time it takes for a call to be answered.
	
		
			   2006  2007 
			   October  November  December  January  February  March 
			 Calls offered 1,486,560 1,698,307 837,978 1,627,416 1,527,087 1,710,681 
			 Calls answered 1,416,797 1,637,997 815,543 1,553,087 1,454,007 1,647,370 
			 Percentage of calls answered 95.3 96.4 97.3 95.4 95.2 96.3 
			 Calls abandoned 69,763 60,310 22,435 74,329 73,080 63,311 
		
	
	
		
			  2007 
			   April  May  June  July  August  September 
			 Calls offered 1,267,502 1,490,654 1,381,732 1,486,522 1,770,187 1,460,400 
			 Calls answered 1,191,101 1,429,822 1,300,032 1,350,761 1,622,580 1,362,994 
			 Percentage of calls answered 94 95.9 94.1 90.9 91.7 93.3 
			 Calls abandoned 76,401 60,832 81,700 135,761 147,607 97,406 
		
	
	
		
			   2007  2008 
			   October  November  December  January  February  March 
			 Calls offered 1,348,901 1,618,436 851,229 1,987,101 1,441,739 1,340,837 
			 Calls answered 1,285,827 1,516,795 797,772 1,862,192 1,374,644 1,118,666 
			 Percentage of calls answered 95.3 93.7 93.7 93.7 95.3 83.4 
			 Calls abandoned 63,074 101,641 53,457 124,909 67,095 222,171 
		
	
	
		
			  2008 
			   April  May  June  July  August  September 
			 Calls offered 1,373,527 1,599,042 1,558,995 1,881,447 1,392,754 1,514,106 
			 Calls answered 1,258,862 1,482,936 1,195,905 1,622,186 1,304,201 1,360,135 
			 Percentage of calls answered 91.7 92.7 76.7 86.2 93.6 89.8 
			 Calls abandoned 114,665 116,106 363,090 259,261 88,553 153,971 
			 Average speed of answer n/a n/a n/a 1 minute 30 seconds 1 minute 17 seconds 1 minute 45 seconds 
		
	
	Jobcentre Plus contact centres have only been able to collate information on speed of answer times centrally since July 2008, following the introduction of a new telephony platform which enabled this information to be recorded.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2008,  Official Report, column 1233W, on jobseeker's allowance, how many of those jobseekers allowance claimants aged 25 years or over who terminated their claim more than 17 months but less than 18 months since their initial claim, moved onto  (a) incapacity benefit and  (b) income support within (i) one week, (ii) one month, (iii) three months, (iv) six months and (v) one year of such termination.

Kitty Ussher: The following answer was provided to the hon. Member on 17 September 2008, however, due to a departmental procedural error it was not published in the  Official Report. The answer is as follows:
	The available information is in the following tables.
	
		
			  Number of jobseeker's allowance terminations aged 25 or over, who terminate their claim between 17 and 18 months, then flow on to incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance 
			  Quarter ending  Number of jobseeker's allowance terminations  Flowed on to incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance 
			All  Within  1 week  More than a week but less than l month  More than a month but less than  3 months  More than  3 months but less than  6 months  More than  6 months but less than a year  More than  l year 
			  2005 
			 August 1,700 400 200 100 0 0 0 100 
			 November 1,200 400 200 0 0 0 100 0 
			  
			  2006 
			 February 1,000 300 200 0 0 0 0 n/a 
			 May 1,700 500 300 0 100 0 100 n/a 
			 August 1,800 500 300 0 0 100 100 n/a 
			 November 1,900 300 200 0 0 0 0 n/a 
			  
			  2007 
			 February 1,800 300 200 100 0 0 n/a n/a 
			 May 2,000 400 300 0 0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 August 2,000 200 200 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  Notes: 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 2. Data commence in 2005 to ensure capture of information on people flowing on to incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance up to 12 months after the termination of their claim. 3. Figures for the latest quarter do not include any late notifications and are subject to major changes in future quarters. Figures for previous quarters may also be subject to revisions in future quarters.  Source: DWP Information Directorate 5 per cent. sample and 5 per cent. terminations dataset 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of jobseeker's allowance terminations aged 25 or over, who terminate their claim between 17 and 18 months, then flow on to income support 
			  Quarter ending  Number of jobseeker's allowance terminations  Flowed on to income support 
			All  Within  1 week  More than a week but less than l month  More than a month but less than  3 months  More than  3 months but less than  6 months  More than  6 months but less than a year  More than  l year 
			  2005 
			 August 1,700 400 100 100 0 0 0 100 
			 November 1,200 300 200 0 0 0 0 100 
			  
			  2006 
			 February 1,000 300 200 0 0 0 0 n/a 
			 May 1,700 500 200 0 100 0 100 n/a 
			 August 1,800 400 200 0 0 100 0 n/a 
			 November 1,900 300 200 100 0 0 0 n/a 
			  
			  2007 
			 February 1,800 300 200 0 0 0 n/a n/a 
			 May 2,000 400 300 0 0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 August 2,000 100 100 0 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			  Notes: 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 2. Data commence in 2005 to ensure capture of information on people flowing on to income support up to 12 months after the termination of their claim. 3. Figures for the latest quarter do not include any late notifications and are subject to major changes in future quarters. Figures for previous quarters may also be subject to revisions in future quarters.  Source: DWP Information Directorate 5 per cent. sample and 5 per cent. terminations dataset

Members: Correspondence

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the letter from his Department's central Freedom of Information team to the hon. Member for Yeovil dated 8 October 2008, which 25 questions from the hon. Member for Yeovil and 36 questions from other hon. Members were colour-coded red during his Department's use of a colour coding system for answering parliamentary questions; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: For the early part of the 2006-07 session, Ministerial Private Offices in the Department trialled an informal system of colour coding parliamentary questions to help improve internal processes for answering them.
	No formal monitoring system was in place during the period of the trial. Nor did the trial extend to all Ministerial Private Offices or to all parliamentary questions. TheDepartment discontinued the trial in February 2007.
	Nevertheless, as part of an investigation by the Information Commissioner, the Department was able to collate partial figures based on the limited information available while making it clear that they could not be considered definitive.
	On the basis of this partial information the Hansard references for the parliamentary questions from the right hon. Member for Yeovil colour coded red during the period of the trial are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Hansard Date  Hansard Ref  PQ Ref 
			 11 December 2006 1994-1995W 102274 
			 12 December 2006 1019-1020W 102136 
			 12 December 2006 1019W 102170 
			 12 December 2006 1019W 102171 
			 18 December 2006 1566-1567W 102156 
			 18 December 2006 1567-1568W 102194 
			 18 December 2006 1568-1569W 102195 
			 18 December 2006 1570-1571W 102202 
			 18 December 2006 1573-1574W 102205 
			 19 December 2006 1987-1988W 102174 
			 19 December 2006 1992W 102193 
			 19 December 2006 1992-1994W 102206 
			 19 December 2006 1994W 102243 
			 19 December 2006 2004-2005W 102225 
			 8 January 2007 191-192W 102223 
			 10 January 2007 637-638W 102241 
			 11 January 2007 646-647W 102268 
			 24 January 2007 1871W 102240 
			 31 January 2007 395W 102254 
			 7 February 2007 1051W 102117 
			 8 February 2007 1222-1224W 102198 
			 8 February 2007 1209-1210W 104255 
			 18 February 2007 1575W 102108 
			 14 March 2007 374W 102122 
			 20 February 2007 618W 102139 
		
	
	The Information Commissioner has decided that the colour coding of individual parliamentary questions constitutes that Member's personal information. The information related to the questions from other Members cannot therefore be disclosed without their consent.

National Insurance: Foreign Workers

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many new national insurance numbers were issued to non-EU nationals in each of the last 10 years, broken down by  (a) local authority and  (b) constituency of residence.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 17 November 2008
	 The available information has been placed in the Library.

New Deal Schemes: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disabled people in Enfield North constituency started work following participation in the New Deal in each year since 1998.

Tony McNulty: The new deal programme started in 2001. The available information for people on the new deal for disabled people is in the table.
	
		
			  New dealjobs (spells): Enfield, North parliamentary constituency by time series cumulative data for new deal for disabled people to May 2008 
			   Number 
			 2001  
			 2002 10 
			 2003 10 
			 2004 20 
			 2005 20 
			 2006 30 
			 2007 40 
			 2008 20 
			 Total 140 
			 '' = Nil or negligible  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and therefore may not sum. 2. Parliamentary constituency (post May 2005) is allocated using the ONS Postcode Directory and customer's postcode. 3. Time seriesyear of entering job; the calendar year that the job was gained. 4. Latest data are to May 2008. 5. NDDPStarted July 2001  Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate

New Deal Schemes: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Enfield North constituency entered work through the New Deal programme in each year since its introduction.

Tony McNulty: The information is as follows.
	
		
			  Time seriesyear of job gainednew deal jobs (spells): Enfield, North parliamentary constituency by time series: cumulative data to May 2008 
			   Number 
			 1998 140 
			 1999 270 
			 2000 300 
			 2001 300 
			 2002 290 
			 2003 420 
			 2004 460 
			 2005 500 
			 2006 490 
			 2007 560 
			 2008 (part year) 220 
			 Total 3,930 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and therefore may not sum. 2. Parliamentary constituency (post May 2005) is allocated using the ONS Postcode Directory and customer's postcode. 3. Time seriesyear of entering job; the calendar year that the job was gained. 4. Latest data are to May 2008. 5. New deal for young people started in January 1998. 6. New deal 25+ started in July 1998 7. New deal for lone parents started in October 1998 8. New deal for disabled people started in July 2001 9. New deal 50+ statistics from April 2003 10. New deal for partners statistics from April 2004 11. New deal 50+ and new deal for partners is for starters by individuals because spell data are unavailable  Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate

New Deal Schemes: Standards

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the performance of  (a) all designated New Deal providers and  (b) the Shaw Trust against the objectives set for delivery of the New Deal.

Tony McNulty: The Department continuously reviews the performance of providers including new deal providers. The Department has implemented a number of initiatives to improve the management of contracts and of providers to achieve better performance and quality of delivery in all contracted employment provision including new deal. Formal processes are in place to deal with performance issues.
	For individual organisation performance, a revised Contract Management Framework has been implemented which sets out the processes for monitoring DWP contracts, enabling early identification of poor performance so remedial action can be put in place.
	A supplier relationship management team was also established in April this year. Their remit is to develop strong, positive relationships with providers in order to improve delivery of services to customers. In addition, all providers in England and Wales are subject to inspection.
	Shaw Trust has one new deal contract to deliver. The contract is managed using standard contract management procedures to ensure performance meets contractual expectations. Any issues arising are addressed in this context.

Pension Credit

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's most recent estimate is of the number of pensioners who (a) are not claiming and  (b) have been refused pension credit because a gross rather than a post-tax net level of state retirement pension was used for the assessment.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not available.

Pension Credit

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many foreign nationals resident in the UK are in receipt of pension credit.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not available.

Pension Credit: Carers

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people claimed  (a) carer's allowance and  (b) pension credit for being a carer in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what the  (a) budget for and  (b) expenditure on pension credits for carers was in each of the last five years;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of people eligible for pension credit for being a carer in each of the last five years; and how many of them claimed the credit.

Rosie Winterton: Pension credit ensures a guaranteed minimum income for all people aged 60 and over. People who are entitled to carer's allowancewhether or not carer's allowance is in paymentmay benefit from the additional amount for carers in pension credit. The pension credit standard minimum guarantee of 124.05 for single pensioners (189.35 for couples) is increased by 27.75 where the additional amount for carers is payable. (If both members of a couple are entitled to carer's allowance, the additional amount is doubled.)
	The guarantee element of pension credit tops income up to the appropriate guarantee level, which means that people entitled to the additional amount for carers could receive either more or less than the additional amount for carers depending on their circumstances. It is not therefore possible to specify what element of pension credit expenditure relates specifically to the additional amount for carers.
	Pension credit is part of the Department's annually managed expenditure (AME). Forecasts of the expenditure for each benefit which is part of AME are produced twice a year and published on the Department's website. The forecasts are used to assess the expected provision required for each benefit which is part of AME. However, none of the elements which comprise the forecast for a particular benefit is budgeted for separately. In addition, all eligible benefit claims are met and so AME benefits are not budgeted for in the same way as other departmental expenditure.
	The latest estimates of take-up of means-tested benefits in Great Britain, covering income support, pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and jobseeker's allowance (income-based) are published in the report Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2006-07. Estimates of the number of people eligible for the additional amount for carers in pension credit are not available.
	The number of people in receipt of pension credit and carer's allowance over the last five years is shown in table 1 and all pension credit expenditure on recipients entitled to the extra amount for carers is shown in table 2.
	
		
			  Table 1: Pension credit and carer's allowance 
			Pension credit 
			  As at February each year  Carer's allowance  Total pension credit recipients  Recipients with the additional amount for caring 
			 2004 656,310 2,282,300 95,200 
			 2005 721,610 2,654,670 153,810 
			 2006 777,910 2,709,220 187,830 
			 2007 823,820 2,730,940 215,050 
			 2008 872,080 2,723,140 237,700 
			  Notes: 1. Carer's allowance figures include those people who are entitled to carer's allowance but who do not receive a payment as a result of the overlapping benefit rules. 2. Case load figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 3. Pension credit recipients are people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household. 4. From February 2005, estimates are derived from Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data. Prior to this, information on receipt of carer's addition in pension credit is not available from the same source, so estimates are derived from 5 per cent. sample data.  Source: DWP: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Pension credit expenditure 
			   million 
			   Expenditure in cash terms  Expenditure in 2008-09 prices 
			 2003-04 (part year) 143 164 
			 2004-05 447 500 
			 2005-06 593 649 
			 2006-07 717 762 
			 2007-08 856 881 
			  Notes: 1. Pension credit was introduced October 2003, so expenditure figures for 2003-04 are part year figures. 2. Estimates represent the expenditure on total pension credit for those claimants who are entitled to the additional amount for carers. Depending on the claimant's income, this may be either higher or lower than the nominal value of the additional amount for carers. It is not possible to specify what part of expenditure relates to the additional amount for carers. 3. From February 2005, estimates are derived from Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data. Prior to this, information on receipt of carer's addition in pension credit is not available from the same source, so estimates are derived from 5 per cent. sample data. 4. Expenditure has been converted from cash terms to 2008-09 prices using GDP deflators which were published alongside the 2008 Budget report.  Source: DWP: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data, 5 per cent. sample data and DWP Accounting Systems.

Pensions: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people  (a) in the City of York local authority area and  (b) City of York constituency receive (i) the basic state pension and (ii) pension credit; and what the average weekly value of the pension credit issued was in the last period for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is in the following tables.
	
		
			  Pension credit household recipients and average weekly amount of benefitMay 2008 
			  Pension credit 
			   Households in receipt  Average weekly amount of   benefit () 
			 York Local Authority 6,720 45.45 
			 City of York Parliamentary Constituency 4,420 46.35 
			  Notes: 1. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household. 3. Average amounts are shown as pounds per week and rounded to the nearest penny. Source: DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data 
		
	
	
		
			  Basic state pension recipientsSeptember 2007 
			   Basic state pension recipients 
			 York Local Authority 36,200 
			 City of York Parliamentary Constituency 18,300 
			  Notes: 1. Data are taken from 5 per cent. extract of PSCS, therefore figures are subject to a degree of sampling variation. They are also adjusted to be consistent with the overall caseload from the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 3. September 2007 are the latest data currently available.  Source: DWP Information Directorate

Personal Pensions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps he has taken to encourage the use of personal private pensions.

Rosie Winterton: The Government are keen to encourage more people to save more for their retirement by contributing to pensions (including personal pensions).
	The current Pension Bill builds on the Pensions Act 2007 through a set of reforms, primarily to the private pensions system, that will enable and encourage more people to build up a private pension income to supplement that received from the state. The reforms will simplify pension saving and enable individuals to take responsibility for their own retirement. All eligible workers will be automatically enrolled into a qualifying workplace pension- helping to overcome barriers to saving such as inertia.

Post Office Card Accounts

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the Oral Statement of 13 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 965-82W, on the Post Office Card Account, what  (a) legal and  (b) economic factors were taken into account in taking the decision to cancel the tender.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 18 November 2008
	At all stages we have taken the proper course of action based on the Government's wider social and public policy, legal advice and economic factors pertaining at the time.
	Income from the Post Office card account has come to form an increasingly important part of the Post Office's income, as well as providing vital footfall to sub-postmasters. The loss of this business would mean there would be a real risk of a significant number of unplanned closures which would impact most on those vulnerable customers who rely on the Post Office and do not have easily accessible alternatives.
	Global economic events have made people, particularly the most vulnerable in our society, more concerned about financial transactions. The Post Office is a trusted brand, and is seen as a safe, secure and reliable provider of services in these turbulent times. Now is not the time for the Government to do anything to put the network at risk, particularly as Post Offices are often the only providers of financial services in remote areas.
	Taking all of these factors into account, we believe that awarding Post Office Ltd another contract is the right thing to do in public policy terms, because it will help maintain the existing Post Office network which provides vital services to vulnerable customers in areas where there is often little or no alternative provision. We are also clear that it represent best value overall to the taxpayer.
	We recognise the importance of competition in the awarding of public contracts, but we have concluded that, in these exceptional circumstances, protecting vulnerable groups by preserving a viable Post Office network justifies the award of a contract outside the competitive process. These are exceptional times and we believe that this is a proper and proportionate response.

Post Office Card Accounts

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many written representations he has received on the Post Office card account.

Rosie Winterton: My ministerial colleagues and I received a number of such representations from hon. Members and others.

Post Office Card Accounts

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department was paid for the advertising to potential bidders of the Post Office Card Account contract.

Rosie Winterton: My Department has received no payment for the advertising to potential bidders of the Post Office card account contract.

Post Office Card Accounts

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have a Post Office card account.

Rosie Winterton: There are 3.8 million active Post Office card accounts.

Post Office Card Accounts

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many customers in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency had active Post Office card accounts in each year since their introduction.

Kitty Ussher: The following answer was provided to the hon. Member on 17 September 2008, however, due to a procedural error was not published in the  Official Report. The answer is as follows:
	The requested information is not available.
	The information available was provided in the written answer I gave to the hon. Member on 17 July 2008,  Official Report, column 648W.

Racial Harassment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in the last 12 months.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department holds information on the number of complaints of racial abuse investigated by its central team of investigators.
	During the last 12 months, the Department has investigated 18 cases of racial abuse. Of these, four cases were upheld on the grounds of racial abuse.
	The Department takes all forms of racial abuse very seriously and publishes its Harassment, Discrimination and Bullying policy on the Department's intranet, which is accessible by all its employees. In addition this policy complies with the Department's commitment to embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity.

Remploy

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people formerly employed in Remploy factories which have been closed down in the last two years have found new jobs; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The current position concerning the 234 former Remploy disabled factory employees who opted to remain with Remploy is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Former Remploy disabled factory employees who opted to remain with Remploy 
			   Number 
			 Permanent job 40 
			 Job placements, which may lead to a permanent job 131 
			 Job ready. Waiting to be placed by Remploy on a secure job placement 16 
			 Undertaking development activity to help them become job ready 17 
			 Undergoing occupational health assessments or re-assessments 30 
		
	
	A further 1,784 employees opted to take voluntary redundancy or early retirement with a voluntary redundancy payment. Remploy has written out to all employees who opted to take voluntary redundancy or early retirement to offer Remploy support if they wished to return to work. So far 153 of its former employees have used Remploy's services to find new employment and have obtained jobs.
	Remploy has continued to offer support to other former employees. The remainder have not currently accepted the company's help to find alternative work or have advised Remploy they do not wish to return to work.

Remploy

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Remploy factories are operating; and how many people are employed in each factory.

Jonathan R Shaw: Remploy operates 54 factories employing 2,987 people. The number of people currently employed in each factory is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Site  Number of disabled people employed  Number of non-disabled employed  Total number of employees 
			 Aberdare 49 2 51 
			 Aberdeen 27 1 28 
			 Abertillery 39 0 39 
			 Acton 37 5 42 
			 Ashington 33 5 38 
			 Barking 75 18 93 
			 Barrow 34 1 35 
			 Birkenhead 40 1 41 
			 Birmingham 84 13 97 
			 Blackburn 49 3 52 
			 Bolton 56 5 61 
			 Bridgend 66 3 69 
			 Bristol 44 1 45 
			 Burnley 44 2 46 
			 Chesterfield 67 5 72 
			 Cleator Moor 23 2 25 
			 Clydebank 54 31 85 
			 Coventry 96 14 110 
			 Cowdenbeath 48 4 52 
			 Croespenmaen 52 2 54 
			 Derby 36 8 44 
			 Dundee 50 9 59 
			 Edinburgh 36 2 38 
			 Gateshead 20 1 21 
			 Huddersfield 34 5 39 
			 Leeds 68 1 69 
			 Leicester 20 2 22 
			 Leven 35 2 37 
			 Manchester 23 3 26 
			 Merythr Tydfil 47 2 49 
			 Motherwell 27 4 31 
			 Neath 74 3 77 
			 Newcastle-upon-Tyne 87 4 91 
			 North London 26 2 28 
			 North Staffs 130 11 141 
			 Norwich 41 21 62 
			 Oldham 131 26 157 
			 Penzance 45 0 45 
			 Pontefract 39 2 41 
			 Poole 19 0 19 
			 Porth 99 4 103 
			 Portsmouth 23 6 29 
			 Preston 30 1 31 
			 Radcliffe 51 7 58 
			 Sheffield 123 9 132 
			 Southampton 30 3 33 
			 Spennymoor 43 0 43 
			 Springburn 56 8 64 
			 Stirling 43 3 46 
			 Sunderland 48 0 48 
			 Swansea 58 5 63 
			 Wigan 39 1 40 
			 Worksop 12 0 12 
			 Wrexham 52 2 54 
			  Source: Remploy

Social Security Benefits: Lone Parents

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect on demand for child care services and on the availability of child care services of the Social Security (Lone Parents and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2008; what steps he has taken to assess the adequacy of the availability of services; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: We will be monitoring the effect of the lone parent changes on demand for child care services as the policy is implemented.
	We can, however, state that the availability of child care places has improved significantly. The stock of registered child care is now approaching 1.3 million places, more than double the 1997 level, representing an increase of well over 17 per cent. or 194,000 places, since March 2004.
	The Childcare Act 2006 places a legal duty on local authorities in England and Wales to secure, as far as practicable, sufficient childcare to meet the needs of working parents, in particular for those on low incomes and with disabled children. The position in Wales is slightly different in that the duty is an enabling power which the Welsh Assembly Government has the option of enacting. We have a published commitment that by 2010 there will be a child care place for all children in England aged between 3 and 14 years old, between the hours of 8am to 6pm each weekday.

Social Security Benefits: York

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households in  (a) City of York constituency and  (b) the City of York local authority area received (i) the winter fuel payment and (ii) the free television licence entitlement in 2007-08.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave on 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 869W for the information on winter fuel payments.
	TV Licensing, which administers free television licences for people aged 75 or over as agents for the BBC, is not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued.

SOS List

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the meaning of the term SOS List is in referring to hon. Members who table Questions to him; what the purpose of the SOS List is; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The designation SoS list is a purely administrative marking to indicate the correspondence addressed to the Secretary of State which should normally receive a reply from the Secretary of State. The designation has no other significance in relation to how correspondence is handled by the Department.
	Because the Department uses a single database for both correspondence and parliamentary questions, the marking also appears on internal documents relating to questions. It has no significance whatsoever in relation to the handling of parliamentary questions.

State Retirement Pensions: Females

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 28 October 2008,  Official Report, columns 868-69W, on the state retirement pension, if he will estimate the number of women who will be entitled to  (a) lump sum pension backpayments only,  (b) lump sum backpayments and home responsibilities protection (HRP) and  (c) HRP only by the end of the special exercise; and what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse in each case at the end of the exercise.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 17 November 2008
	The information requested is not available because it is too early in the special exercise to allow the results to date to be reliably extrapolated.

UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  when the Government plan to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the compatibility of UK legislation with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Ministry of Defence, Home Office and Department for Children, Schools and Families are finalising the texts of the small number of reservations/interpretative declarations that they want in their policy areas, to enable us to move towards ratification of the convention. We are continuing to explore whether there are any compatibility issues in respect of measures relating to the exercise of legal capacity, and my Department is considering the need for a reservation in this area in respect of the review of arrangements for benefit appointees. Issues in respect of aspects of mental health legislation; choice of place of residence; and cultural services (interpretative measures) to which reference was made in the written statement of 6 May 2008,  Official Report, column 30WS, UN Convention on Disability Rights, made by my predecessor as Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire, have been resolved. Reservations/interpretative declarations will not be needed for these.
	My ambition is that we will ratify this convention in spring 2009.

Unemployment

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in  (a) Vale of York constituency and  (b) the UK were classified as unemployed and actively seeking work in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated November 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about what estimate has been made of the number of people in (a) Vale of York constituency and (b) the UK who were unemployed and actively seeking work in each of the last five years. (237096)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from Annual Population Survey (APS) and its predecessor the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions, which includes the requirement for people to be actively seeking work to be classed as unemployed.
	Table 1, attached, shows the number of people aged 16+, resident in (a) the Vale of York constituency and (b) the UK who were unemployed in each of the last five years. Estimates are provided for the 12 month period ending in February 2004 from the annual LFS, and for 12 month periods ending in March from 2005 to 2008 from the APS.
	The UK estimates in the table have been compiled using the same source as those for the Vale of York and are different from the unemployment figures published in the Labour Market First Release.
	As these estimates are for a subset of the population in small geographical areas, they are based on small sample sizes, and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Table 1: Persons in unemployment( 1)  in (a) the Vale of York and (b) the United Kingdom in each of the last five years 
			  Thousand 
			  12 months ending  Vale of York  United Kingdom 
			 February 2004 1 1,464 
			 March 2005 1 1,412 
			 March 2006 1 1,527 
			 March 2007 1 1,629 
			 March 200(2) ****1 *1,590 
			 (1) Levels of unemployment are provided for persons aged 16 and over. The figures presented are weighted to population estimates published in 2007. (2) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality as follows:  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CVfor example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220.  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV) (%) Statistical Robustness * 0  CV  5 Estimates are considered precise. ** 5  CV  10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise. *** 10  CV  20 Estimates are considered acceptable. **** CV ≥ 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes.  Source: Annual Population Survey and annual Labour Force Survey

Unemployment Benefits: Foreigners

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many foreign  (a) EU and  (b) non-EU nationals have obtained (i) jobseeker's allowance, (ii) incapacity benefit and (iii) income support in each of the last 10 years; and how much each category of person has received of each type of support in each of those years.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 6 November 2008
	The information requested is not available.

Winter Fuel Payments: Bolsover

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Bolsover constituency received the winter fuel payment in  (a) 2003,  (b) 2004,  (c) 2005,  (d) 2006 and  (e) 2007.

Rosie Winterton: The number of people in Bolsover receiving winter fuel payments is as follows:
	
		
			   Bolsover constituency 
			 2002-03 18,955 
			 2003-04 19,230 
			 2004-05 19,185 
			 2005-06 19,380 
			 2006-07 19,690 
			  Notes: 1. Figures rounded to the nearest five up to 2004-05 and nearest . from 2005-06 onwards. 2. Parliamentary constituencies, local authorities and Government office regions are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.  Source: Information directorate 100 per cent data. 
		
	
	Information relating to winter fuel payments for 2007-08 is not yet available.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Education Maintenance Allowance

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils who have been in receipt of the education maintenance allowance have not gained a qualification and are no longer in education and training.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold information about applications made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's Chief Executive, has written to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 20 November 2008:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question 226486 that asked:
	How many pupils who have been in receipt of the education maintenance allowance have not gained a qualification and are no longer in education and training.
	Unfortunately the Learning and Skills Council are unable to supply this information as the Individual Learner Record returns for the 2007/08 year, which contains this information, have not at this time been finalised. However in 2007 the Institute for Fiscal Studies carried out an evaluation of the impact of EMA on attainment using new data sets. The study found that EMA had increased attainment at levels 2 and 3 by around 2 percentage points for male learners and 2.5 percentage points for female learners  this calculation included all learners, both EMA and non- EMA.
	Further calculations suggest that attainment rates at levels 2 and 3 will be higher for those learners who received EMA compared to those with similar characteristics who did not7 percentage points for female EMA learners and 5 percentage points for male EMA learners.
	The research and consultancy group RCU also carried out an independent evaluation of the impact of EMA on the success of 16 year old learners following the national rollout of the scheme in 2004 and found that the success rates were 1.2 percentage points higher on the learning aims of those learners in receipt of EMA, compared to those who were not in receipt of EMA.

Education Maintenance Allowance: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many people received education maintenance allowance in the London Borough of Enfield in each year since it was introduced.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold information about payments made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's Chief Executive, has written to the right hon. Member for Enfield North with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 20 November 2008:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question 235441 that asked;
	How many people received education maintenance allowance in the London Borough of Enfield in each year since they were established.
	Information on the number of young people who have applied, enrolled and received Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is available at Local Authority Level. EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received one or more EMA payments in the academic year.
	In the first year of national roll out EMA was available to all 16 year olds across England and to 17 and 18 year olds in former pilot areas (young people who are 19 are entitled to receive EMA in certain circumstances). In 2005/06 EMA roll out continued and EMA was available to all 16 and 17 year olds nationally. In 2006/07 EMA was available to all 16,17 and 18 year olds nationally.
	EMA take-up for Enfield Local Authority area during each academic year since inception is as follows:
	2004/051,337
	2005/062,639
	2006/073,499
	2007/083,764
	2008/09774 (to end October 08)
	EMA take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08 is available on the LSC website, at the following address:
	http://www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/Data/statistics/learner/EMA take up.htm.

Educational Maintenance Allowance: Crosby

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many people  (a) are eligible for and  (b) claim education maintenance allowance in Crosby constituency.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and hold information about applications made under the scheme. Mark Haysom, the LSC's Chief Executive, has written to the hon. Member for Crosby with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 20 November 2008:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question 236677 that asked;
	How many people (a) are eligible for and (b) claim education maintenance allowance in Crosby constituency.
	We do not hold data on the number of learners potentially eligible for education maintenance allowance (EMA). Information on the number of young people who have applied, enrolled and received EMA is available at Local Authority Level, but not at Constituency Level.
	In the 2008/09 academic year to date a total of 2,897 Notices of Entitlement (NOEs) have been issued across the Sefton Local Authority area and of these 2,594 young people have received at least one payment.
	EMA take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08 is available on the LSC website, at the following address:
	http.7/www.lsc.gov.uk/providers/Data/statistics/leamer/EMA take up.htm.

Lone Parents: Tamworth

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children under the age of 11 live in single-parent families in the Tamworth constituency.

Kevin Brennan: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated November 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many children under the age of 11 live in single-parent families in the Tamworth constituency. (237339)
	The number of children living in lone parent families in the UK can be estimated using the Annual Population Survey (APS). Using this source, it is estimated that there were 2,000 children under the age of eleven living in lone parent families in the Tamworth constituency in 2007.

New Manton Primary School

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what information his Department has on the number of books per pupil there were in New Manton Primary School in  (a) 2007 and  (b) 2008.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: This information is not collected centrally; it is for schools to decide how best to spend their budgets and what resources they secure for their pupils.

Performance Appraisal

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many staff in his Department did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade in their annual report in the latest reporting year for which figures are available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: In the Department, 54 (2 per cent.) employees did not achieve the acceptable performance assessment in their annual report for 2007-08.

Schools: Crosby

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools have been  (a) built and  (b) rebuilt in Crosby constituency in the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: In 2007, the Department gathered information from all authorities on the improvements to their school buildings over the previous 10 years. These data are summarised in the report School Building Investment Data, available in the parliamentary Libraries and at:
	http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?id=11413
	However, parliamentary constituencies are not identified in the data.

Teachers: Disciplinary Proceedings

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what the average cost was of suspending  (a) a head teacher,  (b) a deputy head teacher and  (c) a mainstream teacher for each month of suspension in the latest period for which figures are available; and what the average length of time of such suspensions was in each category in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what steps he plans to take to ensure that suspensions of head teachers, deputy head teachers and teachers are for as short a time as possible;
	(3)  what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on  (a) dealing with the media and  (b) communication with parents in cases of suspension of teaching staff.

Jim Knight: The operation of disciplinary procedures, including those that result in suspension, is a matter for local determination. To support schools in this area there are a variety of sources of advice available to help governing bodies with their responsibilities. The DCSF's 'A Guide to the Law for School Governors and Staffing' guidance set out the statutory responsibilities falling to schools as employers. This guidance is available through www.governornet.co.uk and www.teachernet.co.uk. These sources also provide access to an extensive range of additional guidance material including materials from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. Schools are therefore able to draw from a wide variety of guidance when devising their policies and handling disciplinary cases.
	Our guidance concentrates on making schools aware of their responsibilities so that they can deal with the media and inform parents appropriately. It does not go into detail about issues such as the length of any suspension. Decisions of this nature are best left to schools to determine, drawing on the guidance that is available and where appropriate on advice and support from local authorities.
	The information requested about the average cost of suspending teachers and the average length of time of such suspension is not held centrally.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Copyright: EU Action

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment he has made of the European Commission's 2005 Recommendation on collective cross-border management of copyright; and what plans his Department has to implement the recommendation.

David Lammy: The Government have considered the European Commission's Recommendation of 18 October 2005 on collective cross-border management of copyright and related rights for legitimate online music services and there is no requirement for it to be implemented. Industry continues to work to implement the recommendation and therefore the Government do not believe it is appropriate to press for legislative action at this time.

Copyright: Works of Art

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects of the implementation of the Artists Re-sale Right Regulations 2006 on the UK art industry since 2006; and what assessment he has made of the performance of the art markets in  (a) the United States and  (b) Switzerland since 2006 for benchmarking purposes.

David Lammy: The Government commissioned the Intellectual Property Institute to produce an independent report on the effect on the UK art market of the introduction of artist's resale right. That report, published in April 2008 and available in the Library of the House (I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement on 2 April 2008,  Official Report, column 59-60WS, by my hon. Friend Ian Pearson, the then Minister of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills), compares the values of the art markets in the UK, the United States and Switzerland, over three specific periods, as follows:
	
		
			   
			  Country  Value 
			   1 March 2003  to 29 February 2004  15 February 2006  to 31 July 2006  1 August 2006  to 31 July 2007 
			 Switzerland 22,390,414 50,309,480 46,941,692 
			 UK 470,497,370 478,416,115 1,310,276,980 
			 USA 635,555,500 685,667,748 1,827,900,290

Copyright: Works of Art

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what his policy on the Artist's Resale Right is; what account he has taken of the evidence received on the subject during the UK-IPO consultation; and what his policy is on the future of the right after 2010.

David Lammy: The UK implemented directive 2001/84/EC on artist's resale right into its law in 2006. It needs to decide, before the end of this year, whether or not to seek to extend from 2010 to 2012 the current derogation under the directive which applies artist's resale right only to sales of the works of living artists. It launched a consultation on this issue in June and is currently considering, in the light of the responses, what decision should be made.

Departmental Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08.

Si�n Simon: The Department has one member of staff who works on branding and this accounts for 15-20 per cent. of their time; during the first six months of the Department's existence in 2007, a larger percentage of time was spend on branding issues. The total staff cost on branding activity in 2007-08 was approximately 12,000.
	In addition the staff member's line manager is responsible for multiple areas of work, therefore it is not possible to quantify any specific branding element within this role.

Further Education: Debts

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what guidance is provided to further education colleges on  (a) taking on commercial debt to fund the costs of renovating or constructing buildings and  (b) the use by the general public of buildings constructed using commercial debt.

Si�n Simon: The guidance provided to further education (FE) colleges on  (a) taking on commercial debt to fund the costs of renovating or constructing buildings; and (b) the use of buildings constructed using commercial debt by the general public, is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The LSC's Chief Executive, Mark Haysom, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 20 November 2008:
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Questions that asked: what proportion of payments by the Learning and Skills Council were made within 30 days of the receipt of the invoice in the last period for which figures are available, and what the level of total debt taken out by further education colleges at commercial rates of interest has been in each year since 2001, and what guidance is provided to further education colleges on (a) taking on commercial debt to fund the costs of renovating or constructing buildings and (b) the use of buildings constructed using commercial debt by the general public.
	In the financial year April 2007 to March 2008, the LSC paid 95.3 per cent of its invoices within 30 days. This information forms part of the LSC's annual report, which has been audited by the National Audit Office.
	The level of total debt is as follows:-
	
		
			  Total debt levels of FE colleges between 2001 to 2007 
			  000 
			   2001/02  2002/03  2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08 
			  Summary
			 Total Debt Level 250,110 365,290 431,789 546,280 663,781 815,396 965,417 
			 Percentage Change in Debt Level  46 18 27 22 23 18 
		
	
	 Assumptions
	Above data is based on 2001/02 to 2006/07 audited college financial records submitted in Dec of each respective year
	2007/08 data is based on the forecast Financial Plan 2008-11 submitted in July 2008
	College sample sizes per year: 408 (2001/02), 399 (2002/03), 392 (2003/04), 377 (2004/05), 380/380 (2005/06), 374/376 (2006/07), 359/364 (2007/08).
	Total debt level comprises overdrafts, short-term loans and long-term loans for the purpose of this exercise
	(a) It is normally expected that colleges will have long-term borrowings (15-25 years typical) within the range 30-40% of annual turnover. This produces interest charges around 2% of turnover and annual capital repayments at a similar level, thus debt charges (interest plus capital repayments) are normally about 4% of annual turnover. This is considered reasonable, has proven not to have caused undue financial hardship to the sector, and is in line with the level of borrowings guidance to the Higher Education sector. It has also enabled many more colleges to be rebuilt at a far faster rate than would have been the case without the requirement to borrow.
	The LSC's policy since 2003 has been to assess the level of capital grant support on the basis of affordability. It is intended to continue using the same criteria in that assessment process going forward, there is no reason to assume that those colleges that still require capital investment will not be as financially sound as those that have already invested in their estates. The key elements of that affordability judgement are a reasonable level of commercial bank borrowings within a financial forecast that demonstrates robust financial health by the third year after project completion and improving still further beyond then, with a robust risk management plan in place to demonstrate financial solvency against a range of downside scenarios going forward. This is carefully assessed before the LSC gives consent for a college to enter into a capital project.
	(b) The LSC issues no specific guidance on the use of buildings constructed using commercial debt by the general public. FE colleges are, however, encouraged to offer the use of their facilities, when not being used for their primary purposes of providing education and training, for both community uses and commercial income generating purposes such as conferences.

Higher Education: Admissions

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many and what percentage of students studying at each higher education institution in the 2007-08 academic year were from  (a) state schools and  (b) socio-economic groups 4-7, broken down by ethnic origin; and how much quality-related research funding each institution received for that year.

David Lammy: The latest available information for the 2006-07 academic year is given in the table. Figures for 2007-08 will become available in June 2009. The figures that have been provided are not available broken down by ethnicity.
	For each institution, the state school proportion and the NS-SEC 4-7 proportion are each shown against a benchmark. This is a sector average which is adjusted for each institution to take into account the following factors: subject of study, qualifications on entry and age on entry. The benchmarks can be used to show how a university is performing compared to the sector as a whole, and also help to determine whether a meaningful comparison can be drawn between two or more universities.
	The proportion of students, from state schools and low socio-economic classes has been calculated using information on students whose state school/socio-economic class background is known. A significant proportion of students' social backgrounds are unknown and so exact numbers cannot be determined.
	For figures relating to quality-related research funding I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Northampton South (Mr. Binley) on 28 October,  Official Report, column 994W.
	
		
			  Proportion of UK  domiciled young full  time first degree entrants from state schools and NS  SEC 4  7UK higher education institutions academic year 2006  07 
			   Percent from state schools  Bench mark  Percent from NS  SEC 4  7  Bench mark 
			  Total UK 87.8  29.8  
			  
			  Total England 87.2  29.8  
			 Anglia Ruskin University 97.8 93.2 36.6 35.2 
			 Aston University 91.5 87.2 36.2 29.8 
			 Bath Spa University 94.9 91.7 29.5 32.2 
			 The University of Bath 76.2 81.8 18.0 23.2 
			 University of Bedfordshire 98.8 95.7 41.6 38.4 
			 Birmingham City University 97.5 93.4 45.1 35.0 
			 Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies 98.9 94.7 48.8 40.0 
			 The University of Birmingham 78.1 81.2 22.1 23.7 
			 Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln 100.0 94.6 43.0 34.2 
			 The University of Bolton 98.9 95.3 45.8 37.3 
			 The Arts Institute at Bournemouth 95.3 94.8 33.2 31.4 
			 Bournemouth University 94.5 92.0 28.6 34.2 
			 The University of Bradford 93.9 92.3 49.0 35.3 
			 The University of Brighton 93.0 90.8 28.6 32.3 
			 The University of Bristol 63.1 78.4 14.3 21.0 
			 Brunei University 92.5 90.0 37.7 31.9 
			 Buckinghamshire New University 96.8 95.8 36.0 37.5 
			 The University of Buckingham 79.5 91.1   
			 The University of Cambridge 57.6 77.4 11.5 19.1 
			 Canterbury Christ Church University 96.9 93.1 34.5 35.4 
			 The University of Central Lancashire 96.9 93.0 37.7 35.2 
			 Central School of Speech and Drama 82.9 92.4 17.9 28.0 
			 University of Chester 96.6 92.2 36.4 34.1 
			 The University of Chichester 96.4 94.2 35.3 34.8 
			 The City University 88.5 89.5 39.7 31.9 
			 Conservatoire for Dance and Drama 86.9 94.2   
			 Courtauld Institute of Art 42.9 72.1 22.5 19.0 
			 Coventry University 96.6 92.9 39.4 35.1 
			 The University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone, Rochester 98.2 93.7 34.3 33.1 
			 Cumbria Institute of the Arts 99.0 95.0 29.0 33.5 
			 Darlington College of Arts 98.2 94.2 25.2 32.0 
			 De Montfort University 97.0 93.6 41.9 35.5 
			 University of Derby 98.4 93.6 38.0 36.1 
			 University of Durham 61.8 79.3 14.8 20.8 
			 The University of East Anglia 87.3 84.6 23.8 26.9 
			 The University of East London 98.8 95.8 45.6 37.6 
			 Edge Hill University 98.3 95.0 39.9 37.0 
			 The University of Essex 95.2 88.8 31.8 30.7 
			 The University of Exeter 72.8 81.2 16.7 23.9 
			 University College Falmouth 97.6 94.5 31.7 31.1 
			 University of Gloucestershire 95.2 93.2 32.1 34.8 
			 Goldsmiths College 91.6 88.5 30.2 29.3 
			 The University of Greenwich 97.8 94.8 46.4 38.2 
			 Guildhall School of Music and Drama 61.5 94.6   
			 Harper Adams University College 80.8 87.2 61.0 38.8 
			 University of Hertfordshire 97.9 94.3 39.5 36.9 
			 Heythrop College 84.9 80.9 24.7 25.2 
			 The University of Huddersfield 97.5 93.0 41.9 34.5 
			 The University of Hull 92.6 88.8 30.8 30.6 
			 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine 62.0 78.9 18.3 20.4 
			 Institute of Education 
			 The University of Keele 90.8 86.2 26.5 29.0 
			 The University of Kent 91.9 87.5 24.6 29.7 
			 King's College London 71.3 79.6 21.5 22.9 
			 Kingston University 95.6 93.5 36.7 35.5 
			 The University of Lancaster 90.3 83.0 21.9 25.0 
			 Leeds College of Music 88.2 93.3 20.0 30.7 
			 Leeds Metropolitan University 92.5 92.3 31.9 34.7 
			 The University of Leeds 73.3 82.0 19.7 24.0 
			 Leeds Trinity and All Saints 95.7 91.6 32.5 31.7 
			 The University of Leicester 89.5 82.9 26.0 25.7 
			 The University of Lincoln 97.5 92.1 36.1 33.7 
			 Liverpool Hope University 98.1 94.6 41.4 36.2 
			 Liverpool John Moores University 96.1 93.3 40.4 35.6 
			 The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts 88.0 92.2 21.5 27.8 
			 The University of Liverpool 84.8 82.1 24.7 25.3 
			 University of the Arts, London 95.1 94.4 26.6 29.6 
			 London Metropolitan University 97.3 93.3 42.9 35.9 
			 London South Bank University 98.3 94.8 44.2 38.6 
			 London School of Economics and Political Science 65.9 77.4 18.2 20.4 
			 Loughborough University 81.7 86.7 21.7 28.1 
			 The Manchester Metropolitan University 94.7 91.5 35.7 33.7 
			 The University of Manchester 77.2 80.6 21.3 23.0 
			 Middlesex University 97.7 95.8 47.7 38.9 
			 The University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne 70.0 81.1 20.1 24.0 
			 Newman College of Higher Education 100.0 95.0 45.2 36.6 
			 The University of Northampton 96.7 94.5 35.5 36.7 
			 The University of Northumbria at Newcastle 91.3 90.4 31.9 32.4 
			 Norwich School of Art and Design 97.8 95.8 34.3 34.8 
			 The University of Nottingham 67.4 79.4 17.4 22.4 
			 The Nottingham Trent University 92.6 91.8 35.5 33.1 
			 Oxford Brookes University 72.9 88.2 41.3 31.3 
			 The University of Oxford 53.0 76.7 9.8 17.9 
			 University College Plymouth St Mark and St John 97.5 94.4 44.0 36.7 
			 The University of Plymouth 93.8 90.3 31.1 33.0 
			 The University of Portsmouth 94.8 90.7 31.1 32.8 
			 Queen Mary and Westfield College 85.8 84.5 32.6 26.9 
			 Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication 94.1 96.3 37.2 35.1 
			 The University of Reading 82.4 84.9 23.9 27.5 
			 Roehampton University 96.5 94.1 35.7 35.1 
			 Rose Bruford College 94.2 93.6 26.2 30.4 
			 Royal Academy of Music 42.3 89.7 22.4 25.5 
			 Royal Agricultural College 37.5 84.8 39.2 31.6 
			 Royal College of Music 
			 Royal Holloway and Bedford New College 78.5 82.9 24.0 24.6 
			 Royal Northern College of Music 
			 The Royal Veterinary College 76.7 70.6 24.5 22.8 
			 St George's Hospital Medical School 81.8 80.5 23.3 25.1 
			 St Martin's College 98.4 94.1 39.0 36.2 
			 St Mary's University College, Twickenham 95.4 93.5 33.3 34.4 
			 The University of Salford 96.5 91.8 40.2 33.7 
			 The School of Oriental and African Studies 74.9 78.6 20.3 22.5 
			 The School of Pharmacy 84.8 86.5 39.8 28.0 
			 Sheffield Hallam University 95.5 91.6 33.2 34.2 
			 The University of Sheffield 85.3 80.1 21.3 22.8 
			 Southampton Solent University 96.7 94.8 36.0 36.2 
			 The University of Southampton 83.2 82.3 19.9 24.6 
			 Staffordshire University 97.7 93.9 39.2 36.3 
			 The University of Sunderland 98.2 94.4 48.0 36.5 
			 The University of Surrey 90.9 87.9 22.3 29.6 
			 The University of Sussex 86.1 81.3 22.3 23.9 
			 The University of Teesside 99.1 94.4 47.1 37.5 
			 Thames Valley University 98.0 96.6 38.9 37.5 
			 Trinity Laban 81.2 91.7 15.3 27.7 
			 University College London 66.6 78.4 18.9 21.1 
			 The University of Warwick 76.4 79.5 17.6 20.8 
			 University of the West of England, Bristol 89.0 91.4 28.9 33.6 
			 The University of Westminster 95.6 93.9 44.4 36.6 
			 The University of Winchester 96.8 93.0 31.8 32.8 
			 The University of Wolverhampton 99.0 96.0 51.3 39.2 
			 The University of Worcester 98.1 94.5 33.6 36.5 
			 Writtle College 94.8 94.8 35.1 35.1 
			 York St John University 93.2 91.2 29.0 31.9 
			 The University of York 79.9 78.9 16.9 20.7 
			  
			  Total Wales 93.1  30.1  
			 Aberystwyth University 94.9 88.6 28.4 30.5 
			 Bangor University 95.5 90.4 32.8 31.9 
			 Cardiff University 85.8 83.0 21.5 25.6 
			 University of Wales Institute, Cardiff 94.9 93.0 29.8 34.8 
			 University of Glamorgan 98.4 93.9 42.0 36.2 
			 The University of Wales, Lampeter 92.8 87.9 38.7 30.0 
			 The NorthEast Wales Institute of Higher Education 99.7 95.0 46.2 37.7 
			 The University of Wales, Newport 99.0 96.2 38.1 35.7 
			 Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama 90.4 92.2 19.0 29.8 
			 Swansea Institute of Higher Education 97.9 94.8 42.7 37.7 
			 Swansea University 93.1 88.6 29.0 31.1 
			 Trinity College, Carmarthen 99.6 95.5 40.8 36.6 
			  
			  Total Scotland 86.6  25.9  
			 The University of Aberdeen 81.8 85.0 25.3 26.8 
			 University of Abertay Dundee 96.8 91.7 36.9 34.3 
			 Bell College 99.1 93.9 43.6 37.4 
			 The University of Dundee 88.3 84.0 25.7 26.6 
			 Edinburgh College of Art 82.8 93.0 20.6 32.6 
			 The University of Edinburgh 68.0 80.0 15.7 21.4 
			 Glasgow Caledonian University 96.2 90.7 35.0 33.4 
			 Glasgow School of Art 87.0 86.2 18.0 25.4 
			 The University of Glasgow 86.6 81.8 21.9 23.7 
			 HeriotWatt University 91.8 87.0 27.6 28.6 
			 Napier University 96.0 93.3 33.3 35.5 
			 The University of Paisley 98.9 93.4 37.1 35.2 
			 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh 94.7 90.8 30.1 32.2 
			 The Robert Gordon University 94.9 92.7 33.1 35.6 
			 The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama 87.1 95.7   
			 The University of St Andrews 58.7 78.1 15.7 20.1 
			 The University of Stirling 93.5 88.5 27.1 31.0 
			 The University of Strathclyde 92.3 83.1 26.7 23.7 
			 UHI Millennium Institute 100.0 92.6 52.5 34.3 
			  
			  Total Northern Ireland 99.6  41.7  
			 The Queen's University of Belfast 99.1 84.1 35.2 26.8 
			 St Mary's University College 100.0 92.7 52.4 33.6 
			 Stranmillis University College 100.0 95.1 33.5 35.2 
			 University of Ulster 100.0 92.2 47.6 35.7 
			  Note:  Percentages have been suppressed where based on populations of less than 20 and are denoted by ''  Source:  Performance Indicators in Higher Education, published by HESA.

Higher Education: Admissions

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the answer of 13 November 2008,  Official Report, 
	(1)  column 1394W, on higher education: admissions, if he will break down the information given by  (a) year of study and  (b) part-time or full-time status;
	(2)  columns 1394-7W, on higher education: admissions, if he will break down the information given by domicile of students  (a) in the UK,  (b) elsewhere in the EU and  (c) outside the EU.

David Lammy: Table 1 shows the figure from the answer of 13 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1394W, on higher education: admissions, broken down by year of study and mode of study.
	
		
			  Table 1: UK domiciled undergraduate enrolments by year of study and mode of study. English higher education institutions, 2006/07 academic year 
			  Year of study  Full-time  Part-time  Total 
			 1 313,330 277,050 590,380 
			 2 264,705 89,690 354,395 
			 3 216,375 45,820 262,195 
			 4 61,255 28,195 89,445 
			 5 11,395 16,450 27,845 
			 6 3,020 8,855 11,875 
			 7 435 4,400 4,835 
			 8 125 2,595 2,725 
			 9 35 1,445 1,480 
			 10 20 1,020 1,035 
			 Over 10 10 2,670 2,685 
			 Missing 10 7,155 7,165 
			 Total 870,720 485,335 1,356,055 
			  Note:  Figures are on a HESA standard registration population (SRP) basis and are rounded to the nearest five therefore components may not sum to the total.  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). 
		
	
	Table 2 shows figures from the answer of 13 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1394-7W, on higher education: admissions, broken down by domicile of student.
	
		
			  Table 2: Doctorate enrolments( 1 ) by higher education institution and domicile English higher education institutions. 2006/07 academic year 
			  Higher education institution  UK  EU  Non-EU  Total 
			 Open University 740 0 40 780 
			 Cranfield University 475 265 225 960 
			 Royal College of Art 20 15 5 40 
			 Royal College of Nursing 5 0 0 5 
			 Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College 30 0 10 45 
			 Central School of Speech and Drama 5 0 5 10 
			 University of Chester 35 0 5 40 
			 Canterbury Christ Church University 275 5 25 310 
			 York St. John University 25 0 0 25 
			 College of St. Mark and St. John 5 0 0 5 
			 Dartington College of Arts 35 5 5 45 
			 Edge Hill University 20 0 0 20 
			 University College Falmouth 5 0 0 5 
			 Harper Adams University College 10 5 10 25 
			 University of Winchester 75 0 5 80 
			 Liverpool Hope University 15 0 5 25 
			 University of the Arts, London 60 10 10 80 
			 University of Bedfordshire 60 20 55 135 
			 University of Northampton 75 10 25 105 
			 Newman College of Higher Education 0 0 0 5 
			 Roehampton University 90 15 30 140 
			 Royal Academy of Music 5 0 5 10 
			 Royal College of Music 10 5 5 20 
			 Southampton Solent University 15 0 10 25 
			 St. Martin's College 20 5 25 50 
			 St. Marys University College, Twickenham 10 0 0 10 
			 Leeds Trinity and All Saints 5 0 0 5 
			 University of Worcester 85 5 10 95 
			 Anglia Ruskin University 150 10 140 295 
			 Bath Spa University 55 0 0 60 
			 University of Bolton 65 10 30 110 
			 Bournemouth University 110 25 35 170 
			 University of Brighton 215 30 55 300 
			 University of Central England in Birmingham 75 10 25 110 
			 University of Central Lancashire 225 20 40 290 
			 University of Gloucestershire 125 10 20 155 
			 Coventry University 145 20 120 285 
			 University of Derby 140 25 30 200 
			 University of East London 575 40 70 690 
			 University of Greenwich 150 15 45 210 
			 University of Hertfordshire 285 50 65 400 
			 University of Huddersfield 215 10 80 300 
			 University of Lincoln 185 25 30 240 
			 Kingston University 265 50 65 385 
			 Leeds Metropolitan University 150 50 70 270 
			 Liverpool John Moores University 205 15 50 270 
			 Manchester Metropolitan University 340 60 65 465 
			 Middlesex University 265 25 55 345 
			 De Montfort University 170 70 155 395 
			 University of Northumbria at Newcastle 295 30 125 450 
			 Nottingham Trent University 265 70 105 440 
			 Oxford Brookes University 140 25 85 250 
			 University of Plymouth 345 75 120 540 
			 University of Portsmouth 295 65 100 460 
			 Sheffield Hallam University 300 45 115 460 
			 London South Bank University 145 10 50 205 
			 Staffordshire University 125 15 65 205 
			 University of Sunderland 170 15 65 250 
			 University of Teesside 180 15 30 225 
			 Thames Valley University 40 5 10 55 
			 University of the West of England, Bristol 460 45 135 640 
			 University of Chichester 15 0 0 15 
			 University of Westminster 115 25 70 205 
			 University of Wolverhampton 120 15 50 185 
			 Aston University 175 60 100 335 
			 University of Bath 470 140 310 920 
			 University of Birmingham 2,005 330 855 3,190 
			 University of Bradford 175 45 240 460 
			 University of Bristol 1,335 265 625 2,220 
			 Brunel University 445 155 360 960 
			 University of Cambridge 2,555 965 1,935 5,455 
			 City University 365 140 190 695 
			 University of Durham 875 175 480 1,535 
			 University of East Anglia 770 145 335 1,250 
			 University of Essex 460 260 495 1,215 
			 University of Exeter 750 135 405 1,285 
			 University of Hull 455 55 195 705 
			 University of Keele 390 50 95 535 
			 University of Kent 300 65 105 470 
			 University of Lancaster 565 135 290 990 
			 University of Leeds 1,415 265 790 2,465 
			 University of Leicester 885 155 690 1,735 
			 University of Liverpool 920 90 305 1,320 
			 Birkbeck College 330 50 85 465 
			 Goldsmiths College 355 115 145 615 
			 Imperial College of Science, Technology  Medicine 680 235 240 1,155 
			 Institute of Education 240 45 95 380 
			 King's College London 1,125 250 315 1,690 
			 London Business School 5 15 50 70 
			 London School of Economics and Political Science 295 320 435 1,050 
			 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 60 10 65 135 
			 Queen Mary and Westfield College 475 85 220 780 
			 Royal Holloway and Bedford New College 570 150 210 930 
			 Royal Veterinary College 105 20 25 150 
			 St. George's Hospital Medical School 165 15 20 200 
			 School of Oriental and African Studies 265 140 340 745 
			 School of Pharmacy 75 35 45 150 
			 University College London 1,015 200 225 1,440 
			 University of London (Institutes and activities) 60 20 40 120 
			 Loughborough University 535 125 435 1,100 
			 University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1,270 235 885 2,390 
			 University of Nottingham 1,700 405 1,235 3,335 
			 University of Oxford 2,390 755 1,895 5,040 
			 University of Reading 570 165 380 1,110 
			 University of Salford 315 50 210 570 
			 University of Sheffield 1,225 200 555 1,985 
			 University of Southampton 1,510 340 650 2,500 
			 University of Surrey 865 175 410 1,445 
			 University of Sussex 670 190 330 1,190 
			 University of Warwick 1,020 280 605 1,905 
			 University of York 760 220 445 1,425 
			 Institute of Cancer Research 55 20 25 100 
			 Norwich School of Art and Design 5 0 0 5 
			 Royal Agricultural College 10 0 5 15 
			 Conservatoire for Dance and Drama 0 0 0 5 
			 Courtauld Institute of Art 60 20 30 110 
			 London Metropolitan University 150 40 70 255 
			 University of Buckingham 10 5 25 40 
			 University of Manchester 2,490 440 1,540 4,470 
			 Heythrop College 35 0 5 35 
			 University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury 25 5 10 35 
			 Total 46,130 10,385 23,980 80,490 
			 (1) Figures cover enrolments on full-time and part-time courses.  Note:  Figures are on a HESA standard registration population (SRP) basis and are rounded to the nearest five therefore components may not sum to the total.  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record.

Higher Education: Finance

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the National Union of Students on higher education funding.

David Lammy: We will start to consider the future of higher education funding next year after we have published our framework for the development of higher education over the next 10 to 15 years. We have asked the National Union of Students for its perspective on the issues raised by that framework and we look forward to considering its views in due course.

Higher Education: Finance

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much of the funding reassigned from equivalent or lower qualification students to support additional student numbers has been made available to universities providing additional  (a) part-time and  (b) full-time places.

David Lammy: All of the 24 million in institutional funding reassigned from equivalent and lower level qualification students in 2008-09 has been made available to support additional new entrants to higher education but no funding was ring-fenced specifically for either part-time or full-time students. The actual numbers of total full-time and part-time students recruited by institutions will become available later in the academic year.

Intellectual Property

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment he has made of the contribution of intellectual property to the UK economy.

David Lammy: Intellectual Property (IP) plays a central role in capturing the value of knowledge and creativity and is essential to the UK's future economic prosperity. For example, it has been estimated that the service sector accounts for over two-thirds of the UK's Gross Value Added (GVA) and trade marks play a key role in this sector in securing the value of brands. Patents underpin technological innovation, critical to the manufacturing sector which has been estimated to contribute 150 billion a year to our economy. Our pharmaceutical, sector which is a world leader and had an estimated GVA in 2007 of 7.5 billion, is particularly reliant on patents for inventions which may take many years to reach the market.
	Copyright underpins much of the creative sector, for example the literary, musical and film industries. The creative economies were estimated to account for 7.3 per cent. of the UK's GVA in 2005 and have grown at approximately 6 per cent. per annum. The Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) are due to publish an update of these figures by the end of this year.
	The White Paper 'Innovation Nation' published in March 2008 recognised the important role of IP in the UK's innovation framework and set out specific initiatives to improve awareness of IP and to facilitate IP transactions between businesses and also to improve the exploitation of IP arising from research.
	The Government established the new Strategic Advisory Board on Intellectual Property Policy in June 2008 with a 500,000 research budget. It has also initiated a programme of research into economics and IP in the Intellectual Property Office. These initiatives will reinforce the economic evidence base underpinning IP policy making.

Intellectual Property: Crime

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the effect of intellectual property crime on the UK economy.

David Lammy: There is not yet consensus among UK IP rights holders on how to best assess the extent and impact of IP crime within the UK. However, the 'Rogers Review: National enforcement priorities for local authority regulatory services', published by the Cabinet Office in March 2007, was established to collect and collate evidence in defining and prioritising regulatory service policy areas. That review estimated that theft of intellectual property cost 1.3 billion per year.

Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what role Ministers in his Department had in shortlisting companies bidding to provide electric and low carbon vehicles to public bodies under the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform.

David Lammy: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Jim Fitzpatrick) on 12 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1168W.

Racial Harassment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in the last 12 months.

Si�n Simon: No complaints of racial abuse were investigated in the Department in the last 12 months. Formal complaints of racial abuse would be investigated quickly and thoroughly and, where complaints were upheld, appropriate disciplinary action would be taken. All cases are treated seriously.
	The Department believes that each and every individual has the right to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. As such, we do not tolerate unacceptable behaviour towards others. The overall aim of our harassment and bullying policies is to prevent such unacceptable behaviour occurring but, where it does occur, to ensure that appropriate and effective action is taken to deal with it and prevent it happening again. This applies to everyone in the Department. Every individual is personally responsible for their own behaviour, and every manager is responsible for enforcing the policies in accordance with the guidance and procedures provided.

Training: Interpreters

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what progress he has made towards the implementation of Lord Justice Auld's recommendation that the Government should consider central funding of further education establishments to equip them, where necessary, to provide courses for lesser known languages for the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting; and if he will make a statement.

Si�n Simon: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is responsible for funding further education (FE) courses in England. Public funding is prioritised towards basic literacy and numeracy, full level 2 and full level 3 qualifications as well as a range of first steps provision offering opportunities for progression below level 2. In addition, the LSC funds English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses, often as a component of other prioritised courses. ESOL courses both promote community cohesion and equip a significant number of learners with the language skills needed for employment.
	This is part of a planned and continuing strategy to provide adults with the skills they need for sustained employment and progression in learning.
	In line with our response to the Leitch review of skills we are committed to increasing funding through demand-led routes to ensure that funding is responsive to learner and employer needs. While FE colleges receive funding for a full range of qualifications in line with Government priorities, it is for them to decide how this is targeted on particular courses such as those in lesser known languages in line with demand. In line with this the LSC does not provide central funding for specific courses.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Admiralty House

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 10 September 2008,  Official Report, column 1805W, on Admiralty House, what catering services have been provided to Lord Malloch Brown's residence on a re-charge basis since he took up occupation.

Gillian Merron: None.

Afghanistan: Drugs

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has taken account of the counter-narcotics tactics used in Thailand by the government of that country in developing his counter-narcotics policy in Afghanistan.

Gillian Merron: Our counter-narcotics policy on Afghanistan aims to achieve an Afghan drugs trade divided from the insurgency and prevented from undermining security, governance and the economy, to the point where the Government of Afghanistan can take responsibility for delivery of its own counter-narcotics effort. This approach reflects some of the experience of the Government of Thailand in their own campaign against illicit narcotics production. For example we know that short-term approaches such as eradication cannot offer a solution unless they are combined with a longer term commitment to Afghan institutions, alternative livelihoods for farmers, and improved law enforcement capabilities.

Afghanistan: Politics and Government

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Afghanistan.

Bill Rammell: Since 2001 there has been considerable political progress in Afghanistan. There is now an elected President and Parliament, and local governance structures continue to improve. With international support, Afghan led presidential, parliamentary, provincial and district council elections are due to take place in 2009 and 2010. Voter registration is on track and is now entering its second phase. These elections offer the Afghan people yet another chance to have a stake in their Government and a choice about their political future. The UK and our international partners continue to provide development assistance and work with the Afghan National Security Forces to ensure the political space exists for Afghanistan to continue to develop democratically.

Afghanistan: Prisoners

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to his Afghan counterpart on the 20 year jail sentence imposed on Afghan journalist Sayed Pervez Kambaksh.

Bill Rammell: We share your concern about the case of journalism student Sayed Perwiz Kambakhshwhose death sentence we opposed. President Karzai has been aware of our concerns for some time and noted these at the joint press conference with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on 7 February 2008.
	Regardless of the case in question, we oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and together with EU colleagues regularly make our views knows to the Afghan Government. For states that insist on maintaining the death penalty, the UK considers it very important that internationally recognised minimum standards are respected.
	While it is positive that Kambakhsh no longer faces the death penalty, we are disappointed about the verdict reached on 21 October 2008. We have serious concerns about the fairness of this and the original trial.
	The Afghan state must comply with the international human rights standards, to which it is a partythis includes the right to a fair trial. We also support the right to freedom of expression, which is protected by the Afghan Constitutionthe Afghan judiciary and Government are obliged by law to respect these commitments. We are following the case closely and, in conjunction with our international partners, are raising it with the relevant Afghan authorities.

Airwave Service

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what organisations for which his Department is responsible  (a) use and  (b) are planning to use Airwave handsets.

Gillian Merron: Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) Services provide radio communications throughout the FCO and its overseas missions. FCO Services do not use Airwave handsets and have no plans to do so.

Algeria: Politics and Government

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on proposals to change the Algerian constitution to allow presidents to serve for a third term.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have received reports on the proposed changes to the Algerian constitution from our ambassador to Algeria. I understand that on 12 November a joint session of the Parliament approved changes to the constitution removing the limits to the number of presidential terms. The changes also addressed the protection of the symbols of the revolution, the promotion of women's political rights and the replacement of the position of Head of Government by the creation of the formal role of Prime Minister.

Argentina: Foreign Relations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Falkland Islands government on the Argentinian response to the new Falkland Islands constitution.

Gillian Merron: On 6 November, our embassy in Buenos Aires received an official protest from the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the making of the Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008. This was the latest in a series of protests that the Argentine government has made about the Falkland Islands constitutional review, either directly or indirectly, to which the British Government is responding, making clear that the principle of self-determination continues to underline our position on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands and that in contributing to and agreeing the new constitution, the Falkland Islanders have reaffirmed their wish to maintain their status as a British overseas territory. We have consulted the Falkland Islands government about our reply.
	During the drafting of the new constitution we worked openly and constructively with the Falkland Islands government.

Ballistic Missile Defence

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the Answer to the right hon. Member for Richmond of 4 June 2007,  Official Report, column 237W, on missile defence systems, what further discussions have taken place with the US on missile defence since the developments referred to in the Answer.

Caroline Flint: The issue of ballistic missile defence (BMD) is routinely discussed both bilaterally with the US, and in various North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) forums. Since the Bucharest summit, NATO has been carrying out work looking at extending the coverage of the US BMD system to cover the whole of the NATO homeland region. It is anticipated that this work will culminate in a report being presented to the Strasbourg summit in April 2009, with a view to NATO Ministers making a political decision on the future of BMD in Europe.

Bangladesh: Overseas Residence

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to investigate reports of assaults against British nationals of Bangladeshi origin in Bangladesh.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office cannot investigate assaults on British nationals in Bangladesh: such investigations are the responsibility of the Bangladeshi authorities. However, the UK takes any allegation of abuse seriously and we have consistently urged Bangladesh's Government, Army and law enforcement agencies to act impartially and proportionately, with respect for public safety, human rights, media freedoms and rule of law. We have called on Bangladesh's Caretaker Government (CTG) to investigate incidents thoroughly and take appropriate actions. We have co-ordinated these messages with the EU, and delivered them at highest levels.

Bangladesh: Overseas Residence

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many investigations his Department has conducted into assaults against British nationals of Bangladeshi origin in Bangladesh in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer (235493).

Bangladesh: Overseas Residence

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of assaults against British nationals of Bangladeshi origin in Bangladesh in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: The number of assaults on British nationals in the last five years reported to the British High Commission in Bangladesh are as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2008 3 
			 2007 1 
			 2006 1 
			 2005 0 
			 2004 0 
		
	
	Our statistics do not differentiate by British nationals' ethnic origins.

Bangladesh: Overseas Residence

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his Department has issued to British nationals of Bangladeshi origin intending to travel to Bangladesh.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provides advice on travel to all countries on their website:
	www.fco.gov.uk
	or on 0845 850 2829 (Monday to Friday 0900 to 1800).
	We do not provide advice differentiated according to ethnic origin.

Belarus: Children

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department will hold discussions on the resumption of the exchange programme of Belarus children from the Chernobyl area with the Ambassador of Belarus.

Caroline Flint: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials meet with the ambassador of Belarus on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues, including, as appropriate, the programme of visits by Belarus children from the Chernobyl area. Our ambassador to Belarus has been in close contact with the authorities in Minsk in recent weeks, raising our concerns about the decision to suspend these programmes. UK arrangements have worked well, with a high standard of care and safe return of the children to their guardians. We hope to find an amicable resolution of the issue to allow the resumption of these programmes.

British Council: Finance

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what training in finance and fraud detection the Country Directors of the British Council have had.

Caroline Flint: All British Council country directors receive regular, professional, in-house training on finance and business risk management. In addition, the British Council has introduced a new fraud detection component into its training for country directors.

Burma: UN Security Council

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with UN Security Council counterparts on the UN Secretary General's visit to Burma in December 2008 and his objectives for the visit, including specific benchmarks that the military regime must meet.

Bill Rammell: We have regular discussions with our Security Council partners and other influential countries on how best to support the UN Secretary General's efforts to break the current deadlock in Burma. Most recently my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Burma with world leaders at the Asia-Europe Meeting in Beijing on 24 and 25 October. He also spoke directly to the UN Secretary General about Burma on the 23 October. Should Ban Ki Moon decide to visit Burma, he would have our full support.
	The UN Security Council set clear objectives for progress in Burma in its Presidential Statement of 11 October 2007, which it reaffirmed unanimously in May this year. These demands include the early release of all political prisoners, the start of genuine and inclusive dialogue with the opposition and ethnic groups, and full co-operation with the UN.

Canada: Overseas Residence

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals took up residence in Canada in each of the last 10 years.

Bill Rammell: According to Canadian sources, the number of UK nationals who took up residence in Canada in each of the last 10 years, was as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 1997 22,964 
			 1998 10,367 
			 1999 7,045 
			 2000 8,840 
			 2001 11,731 
			 2002 8,046 
			 2003 6,797 
			 2004 7,533 
			 2005 7,258 
			 2006 7,140 
			 2007 (1)8,200 
		
	
	Moreover, the following are estimates of the number of new permanent residents in Canada, in each of the last 10 years, where the UK was the country of last permanent residence.
	
		
			   Number 
			 1997 4,657 
			 1998 3,899 
			 1999 4,478 
			 2000 4,649 
			 2001 5,360 
			 2002 4,724 
			 2003 5,199 
			 2004 6,062 
			 2005 5,864 
			 2006 6,542 
			 2007 (1)8,100 
			 (1) Approximate data and subject to change.

Capital Punishment

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department  (a) has made and  (b) plans to make to other countries to seek to ensure the number of signatories to the moratorium for the death penalty increases at this year's United Nations General Assembly.

Gillian Merron: Last year's ground breaking United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on executions was a huge achievement. We want to secure another successful resolution on the death penalty at this year's General Assembly, and we are currently working to increase the number of signatories to the resolution by assisting the EU presidency in a lobbying campaign in New York and relevant capitals.

China: Human Rights

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a date has been set for the next session of the UK-China human rights dialogue; and whether it will take place before the end of 2008.

Bill Rammell: A date has not yet been set for the next round of the UK-China human rights dialogue. We continue to press the Chinese to agree dates as soon as possible. The human rights dialogue is one element of our multi-layered approach to China human rights. It offers us a way to discuss our human rights concerns in detail. We continue to pursue the other elements of high-level political messaging, and project work to support practical human rights progress on the ground.

Climate Change

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what public diplomacy work on climate change is undertaken by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) work on climate change is part of concerted cross-Whitehall activity to achieve Public Service Agreement (PSA) 27 on Leading the Global Effort to avoid dangerous climate change. We work with partners across the public, private and non-governmental organisations (NGO) sectors in the UK and overseas, making extensive use of our network of posts. Our specific contribution, as identified in the PSA, is to build the necessary social, economic and political conditions and mobilising key constituencies to influence the major emitters.
	Our work is directed to mobilising a global shift to the low carbon economy and creating the right political climate for an ambitious international deal on climate change at Copenhagen at the end of 2009. To achieve this, we need to convince key decision makers and opinion formers across the world that: taking urgent action on climate change is in their national economic and security interests; it is essential if we are to achieve the millennium development goals; and globally there exist sufficient resources and the right technology to succeed.
	Public diplomacy efforts at priority posts (including the US, Canada, Australia, China and India) are focused in particular on the themes of prosperity, security and equity and are targeted at a wide range of opinion formers, including government, business and civil society. We are working closely with the British Council and other partners across government as well as with key groupings such as the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE). We also raised these issues at ministerial level as appropriate.

Czech Republic: Treaty of Lisbon

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his  (a) Czech and  (b) Austrian counterpart on ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon.

Caroline Flint: I apologise for the delay in replying.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have regular contact with our EU counterparts in other member states. These discussions include a wide range of bilateral, European and international issues.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of allegations that Rwandan forces are involved in the fighting in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: There have been reports of Rwandan forces in North Kivu, but we have no firm evidence to confirm these. During the recent fighting, UN observers reported that shots had been fired across the border between Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda in both directions.
	We continue to monitor events in eastern DRC closely. We encourage the governments of the two states to co-operate to resolve threats to regional security.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate has been made of the number of abductions and attacks against civilians by the Lord's Resistance Army along the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Central African Republic borders; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) have carried out numerous attacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), south Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR) in recent months. It is difficult to obtain an accurate number of all abductions and attacks which have occurred, as there are several armed groups operating in the region.
	The LRA are currently more active in the DRC than they are in the rest of the region. Attacks against Congolese civilians have been taking place continually since 17 September, in at least 10 different locations north of Dungo. The DRC armed forces have commenced an operation to contain the LRA with the support of UN peace keepers.
	In southern Sudan, the last reported LRA attack took place on 17 September in Sakure Payam. A number of inhabitants were abducted and at least two people were killed. South Sudan is also affected by refugees fleeing areas due to LRA attacks. Although there have been fewer attacks in south Sudan, the LRA remain a continuing source of insecurity.
	The LRA are suspected to be responsible for a number of attacks in south east CAR in February and March of this year.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government has taken to encourage a peaceful resolution in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gillian Merron: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Tanzania from 1-2 November with his French counterpart, Bernard Kouchner. During meetings with President Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo and President Kagame of Rwanda, he stressed the need to pursue a political solution to the problems of the eastern DRC, including full implementation the Nairobi Accord.
	My noble Friend, the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, participated in the Nairobi Summit on 7 November. We welcome the outcome of the Summit which established a follow-up mechanism to drive implementation of the Nairobi Communiqu and Goma Accord, which offer a political solution to the problems of the region. Regional leaders also endorsed former President Obasanjo as UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes with a mandate to lead this follow-up work.
	Lord Malloch-Brown will also use his visit to the DRC and Rwanda on 17-20 November to press for early progress by both governments towards a long term solution.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Conflict

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports that the Congolese army co-operates with the FDLR; and what discussions he has had with Congolese authorities on the continued operations of the FDLR in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gillian Merron: We believe there has been on-going co-operation between the Congolese army and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) for some time. The UK and EU partners continue to raise the issue with the Congolese authorities, pressing them to end co-operation and abide by United Nation Security Council Resolution 1804 and their commitments under the Nairobi Communiqu.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Arms Trade

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to the Rwandan Government on the provision of arms and supplies to rebel military forces operating in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last three years; and what representations are planned.

Gillian Merron: The Minister maintains a regular and close dialogue with the Government of Rwanda on all aspects of regional security under the terms of the memorandum of Understanding signed between the UK and the Government of Rwanda in 2006. This includes the issue of the provision of arms and supplies to military forces operating in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised these issues when he visited Kigali on 1 November.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Human Rights

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports that members of the armed forces in Democratic Republic of Congo have been involved in serious human rights abuses in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: We are deeply concerned about the level of human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Major human rights abuses are committed by the state security agents as well as militia groups and other actors. We continue to lobby the DRC Government on this issue and push for improved defence, police and justice reform to ensure that the Congolese army protects the population and country rather than being a source of destabilisation and fear.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government supports proposals for an increase in the number of UN troops deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gillian Merron: We fully support the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) efforts to reinforce its presence in and around Goma by moving troops and resources from other areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The head of the UN's Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) briefed the UN Security Council on MONUC's current position on 11 November 2008. The UN Secretary General will provide the UN Security Council in his next report with a full analysis and recommendations on resources required by MONUC to inform UN Security Council discussion. We expect this report by 19 November 2008 and would support a properly evidenced request for additional capacity.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Peacekeeping Operations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the French proposal for a European deployment of up to 1,500 troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to put an end to the violence there; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: My French colleague and I both agree that the best option is to ensure that the 17,000 troops in the UN mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo are correctly deployed and effectively mandated to provide some immediate security in the east of the country.
	The EU's principal concern in the longer term is to provide support to efforts seeking a political solution, as the only effective way of ensuring an end to violence.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Peacekeeping Operations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what shortcomings have been identified in the current troop levels and resources of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with particular regard to airlift capacity.

David Miliband: The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Alan Doss, identified a number of areas where the UN mission may require additional assistance on 3 October, including additional troops and air mobility. This request was reiterated by the Secretary-General in a letter to UN Security Council members on 31 October and again in a briefing by the UN Head of Peacekeeping Operations, Alain Le Roy, on 11 November. In response to Alan Doss's briefing, the Security Council requested that the UN Secretary-General come back in his next report with a full analysis and recommendations on resources required by the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC). We expect this report by 19 November. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced, we support the UN Secretary-General's request to the UN Security Council for extra resources.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Peacekeeping Operations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is UK policy that changes are needed to the mandate of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and what changes are under discussion.

David Miliband: We believe that the mandate of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) correctly focuses on the key challenges facing the country. The Mission is mandated to protect civilians, including humanitarian personnel; to assist in humanitarian access and return of internally displaced persons; to assist in the protection of human rights; to support operations to disarm enemy combatants; and to support and facilitate the disarmament, demobilisation and repatriation of Congolese and foreign combatants. The UN Security Council regularly reviews the mandate of MONUC, most recently at a meeting on 11 November. This will be discussed again in further consultations before the current mandate expires on 31 December 2008. The UK will play an active part in these discussions and will consider carefully any proposed changes.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Peacekeeping Operations

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government plan to take at the United Nations to strengthen the UN peacekeeping force's mandate in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gillian Merron: We believe that the mandate of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) focuses on the key challenges facing the country. The mission is mandated, inter alia; to protect civilians, including humanitarian personnel; to assist in humanitarian access and return of internally displaced persons; to assist in the protection of human rights; to support operations to disarm enemy combatants; to support and facilitate the disarmament, demobilisation and repatriation of Congolese and foreign combatants. The UN Security Council regularly reviews the mandate of MONUC and will do so again before the current mandate expires on 31 December 2008. The UK will play an active part in these discussions and will give due consideration to any proposed changes.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Politics and Government

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the involvement of  (a) the Rwandan government and  (b) Rwandan troops in the current crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

David Miliband: There have been reports of Rwandan forces in North Kivu. During the recent fighting, UN observers reported that shots had been fired across the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, in both directions.
	We continue to monitor events in Eastern DRC closely, and encourage the governments of the two states to co-operate to resolve threats to regional security.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Violence

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of incidents of rape and violence against women in Democratic Republic of Congo in recent weeks; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The UK remains very concerned by the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the recent unconfirmed reports of armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) soldiers raping and killing civilians. Unfortunately there are not yet any comprehensive statistics for such incidents in 2008. With the ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC, sexual violence is used to humiliate and intimidate women and sometimes men of all ages, tearing up families and whole communities. With UK support, the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the DRC (MONUC) mandate was amended in December 2007 to include a requirement to protect civilians against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The UN has appointed a Senior Adviser on Sexual Violence, who is working with international partners and the DRC government to develop a plan of action and coordinate initiatives to deal with the problem. The UK also took the lead in drafting UN Security Council Resolution 1820 which recognises SGBV as a peace and security issue.

Departmental Advertising

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of his Department's initiatives have been advertised to the public in each of the last 10 years; and what the cost of each such campaign was.

Caroline Flint: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) largest expenditure on initiatives involving paid advertising to the public in the UK have been on a major travel advice campaign, and advertising for the recruitment of staff.
	The FCO spent the following on the 'Know Before You Go' campaign, aimed at promoting safe and trouble-free travel to British public before they visit overseas countries:
	
		
			
			 2004-05 683,900 
			 2005-06 940,570 
			 2006-07 964,076 
			 2007-08 922,222 
		
	
	The following was spent on external recruitment advertising for the FCO and FCO Services (trading fund of the FCO):
	
		
			
			 2003-04 401,153 
			 2004-05 513,392 
			 2005-06 547,649 
			 2006-07 460,359 
			 2007-08 471,593 
		
	
	Figures stretching back 10 years are not readily available as they pre-date the introduction of our computerised accounting system, PRISM. Information on smaller initiatives that used paid advertising as a communication channel is not held centrally. The Department could obtain this information from its UK Departments and 250 overseas posts only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Aviation

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many individual domestic air flights were undertaken within Great Britain by representatives of  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in the most recent year for which figures are available; and at what cost.

Gillian Merron: In the period January to October 2008, a total of 459 individual domestic air flights were taken by representatives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its agencies at a cost of 45,174.

Departmental Cars

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in his Department has been in the last 12 months.

Gillian Merron: None. Government cars are not provided to special advisers.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2008,  Official Report, column 211W, on departmental conditions of employment, whether the start of the 10 to 14 day decompression break begins  (a) in theatre while waiting for transportation out of theatre or  (b) upon arriving at the final destination of the decompression break.

Gillian Merron: Decompression breaks start upon arriving at the final destination of the decompression break.

Departmental Consultants

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many external consultants are undertaking work for his Department.

Gillian Merron: Responsibility for procuring external consultants has been devolved to individual directorates, departments and overseas posts within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), with the provision of central advice and guidance. Details from each directorate, department and post could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	However, annual expenditure on external consultants or consultancies as a whole is published in the FCO's annual departmental reports, copies of which are available at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/departmental-report/

Departmental Domestic Visits

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits he made to  (a) Harrogate International Centre,  (b) International Conference Centre, Birmingham,  (c) Manchester Central,  (d) Scottish Exhibitional and Conference Centre, Glasgow,  (e) Edinburgh International Conference Centre,  (f) Bournemouth International Conference Centre,  (g) the Brighton Centre, Brighton,  (h) the Riviera Centre, Torquay,  (i) Queen Elizabeth Centre, London,  (j) Excel Conference Centre, Docklands, London, and  (k) Business Design Centre, Islington, London, in the period 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2007; and what events he attended at each.

Gillian Merron: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs visited the Bournemouth International Conference Centre in September 2007 to attend the Labour Party Conference.
	There are no records held for the time period in question when my right hon. Friend was Minister of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government. Information for my right hon. Friend's time as Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will be published separately as soon as possible.

Departmental Information Officers

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many press and communications officers are employed by  (a) his Department,  (b) its non-departmental public bodies and  (c) its agencies.

David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently employs 16 full-time press officers (15 plus one job-share) based in London.
	A figure for the number of staff with a communications role at our overseas posts is not held centrally and would be available only at a disproportionate cost.
	Wilton Park, an executive agency of the FCO, does not employ any press officers.

Departmental Internet

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of maintaining his Department's website was in 2007-08; and what that cost is expected to be in 2008-09.

Caroline Flint: The cost of maintaining our 232 departmental websites on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s previous web platform in 2007-08 was approximately 870,000. The cost of maintaining the 240 departmental websites on the FCO's new web platform in 2008-09 is expected to be 1,386,000. These figures cover hosting and support costs, but are not directly comparable because of the extensive changes in the way the web platform is managed in 2008-09, compared to 2007-08. The costs do not include staff time spent updating the website. It is not possible to calculate the individual cost of the 'parent' website:
	www.fco.gov.uk

Departmental Internet

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) page hits and  (b) visits his Department's website had in 2007-08.

Caroline Flint: In 2007-08, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's web platform had 146,327,875 page views and 30,519,364 visits. These figures include page views and hits to all of our 232 departmental websites. The figures do not include views or visits to our previously independent post sites which were not part of our FCO web platform in 2007-08, but are on our platform in 2008-09.

Departmental Liability

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates in each of the last five years his Department informed the House of the creation of contingent liabilities relating to his Department or its non-departmental public bodies.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no record of any incidences, in the past five years, where the Department has been required to inform the House of contingent liabilities. There are ongoing indemnities, in respect of British Council artwork, and these are included in the Department's main estimates and revised in the annual resource accounts.
	In addition the Department has reported, in its resource accounts, contingent liabilities arising out of its normal course of business, and information is included in the notes to the resource accounts for those years, available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website address:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/publications/annual-reports/resource-accounts1

Departmental Lost Property

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what  (a) equipment and  (b) data was lost by his Department in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The information required is held separately by our Financial Compliance Unit, Resource Accounting Department, Information and Technology Directorate and Security and Estates Directorate, all of whom hold records relating to various losses and thefts of both personal property and official furnishings, including IT equipment losses. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Personal data losses are reported to the Information Commissioner. These were reported in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office 's(FCO) Departmental Report 2007-08. To date in 2008-09, the FCO has not reported any further losses.

Departmental Marketing

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not keep a central record of amounts spent on publicity and advertising. The information required to answer this question could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Meetings

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the  (a) date,  (b) location and  (c) purpose was of each meeting he attended with the Prime Minister in the week commencing (i) 12 November, (ii) 19 November and (iii) 26 November 2007.

Gillian Merron: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary regularly meets with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and other Cabinet colleagues. It is standard practice not to disclose details of internal Government meetings.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on entertainment by his Department in 2007-08; and how much of that sum was accounted for by expenditure on  (a) food,  (b) alcohol,  (c) staff and  (d) accommodation.

Gillian Merron: The total spent against the entertainment budget in financial year 2007-08 was 6,470,379.11. This expenditure was spent on entertainment of official contacts in furtherance of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s objectives. This expenditure would include the costs of food, drink and sundries when official contacts were entertained at an officer's home, the costs of employing extra domestic staff solely for a representational event, and the cost of entertaining official contacts at external venues (e.g. restaurants, hotels etc.). Additional expenditure on entertainment may have been put to other budgets, but it is not possible to identify this separately. Expenditure on entertainment is not broken down into the requested categories, and to obtain this information would require analysis of each individual invoice. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.
	The FCO is committed to ensuring that all expenditure, including that on entertainment, is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

Departmental Official Visits

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on overnight accommodation by his Department's civil servants in the last 12 months.

Gillian Merron: From 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2008 UK Civil Servants employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and FCO Services, based in the United Kingdom claimed 1,443,221 for expenditure on overnight accommodation in the UK and overseas.
	Expenditure on overnight accommodation by staff based overseas is processed locally. To provide this information would require a manual check of claims made in each post. This would incur a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Older Workers

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people recruited by his Department in 2007-08 were aged over  (a) 55 years and  (b) 60 years; and what percentage this represented of the number of new recruits in each case.

Gillian Merron: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 10 November 2008,  Official Report, column 880W.

Departmental Overtime

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of overtime payments paid to staff in his Department was in each of the last 12 months, broken down by pay grade.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) paid the following amounts in overtime to staff by grade during the period 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008:
	
		
			  CO Grade  Civil Service Grade   
			 Al AA 107,407.70 
			 A2 AO 664,064.44 
			 B3 EO 779,004.52 
			 C4 HEO 1,208,965.07 
			 C5 SEO 763,577.70 
			 D6 Grade 7 565,686.24 
			 D7 Grade 6 200,835.99 
			 Cleaner  36,602.50 
		
	
	Overtime is not paid to staff in the Senior Management Structure/Senior Civil Service.

Departmental Pay

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what bonuses are paid to staff in his Department for working in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) uses non-consolidated, non-pensionable bonuses to encourage high performance. We pay annual bonuses to staff based on appraisal evidence of performance. High bonus awards are given only where performance has significantly exceeded challenging objectives and may have radically transformed delivery of policy and services.
	Bonus payments for FCO staff in the delegated grades (all except senior managers) are based on performance not location. Staff in Iraq or Afghanistan are eligible for performance bonuses; but service in these theatres does not automatically earn a specific bonus.

Departmental Pensions

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civil servants working in his Department and its agencies have pensions with a cash equivalent transfer value of over 1 million.

Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) publishes the cash equivalent transfer value (cetv) of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme pensions of FCO Ministers and of Civil Servants, who are members of the FCO board of management, in their annual resource accounts. A copy can be found online at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/pdfl/fco-resource-accounts-07-08.
	We do not routinely calculate the cetv of the pensions of other members of staff. To carry out the individual calculations in order to determine which members of staff might have pensions with a cetv of more than 1 million would incur disproportionate cost.

EC Common Foreign and Security Policy: Somalia

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter sent on 30 October 2008 by the European Union to the Somali Transitional Government, making an offer of collaboration, which contains proposals on the exercise of jurisdiction against persons apprehended in the territorial waters of Somalia.

Gillian Merron: The letter was sent by the European Council Secretary General Javier Solana. We have, therefore, requested permission from the European Council Secretariat to place a copy of the letter in the Library. If that permission is forthcoming, a copy of the letter will be made available.

European Parliament Members

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the 2007 intergovernmental agreement on the number of members of the European Parliament is expected to be in force for the European Parliament elections in June 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Current UK legislation provides for the European Parliament elections to go ahead under the provisions of the existing European treaties. It is unclear, following the Irish referendum, whether or not the Lisbon Treaty will be in force ahead of the elections in June 2009. The Lisbon Treaty will be discussed at the December European Council, after which the my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will make a statement to the House.

European Parliament Members

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on proposed changes to the number of MEPs for each region in the UK.

Caroline Flint: The most recent discussions on the overall composition of the European Parliament took place at the European Council in June 2007 in the context of agreeing the mandate for the Intergovernmental Conference on the Lisbon treaty. The next steps on the Lisbon treaty will be discussed again the December European Council, after which the Prime Minister will make a statement to the House.
	If the Lisbon treaty is not in force in time for the June European Parliament elections, the current treaty provisions will continue to apply. Current UK legislation provides for next year's European Parliament elections to take place under the provisions of the existing treaties.

European Union

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to fulfil the objectives of the 2001 Laeken Declaration to bring Europe closer to its peoples.

Caroline Flint: The 2001 Laeken Declaration set out the need to reform the EU's institutional structure and to reconnect the EU with its citizens. This led to the establishment of the Convention on the future of Europe and ultimately the Constitutional Treaty. Following the rejection of the Constitutional Treaty by the French and Dutch voters, the constitutional concept was abandoned.
	The Lisbon Treaty, which resulted from a fresh set of negotiations, takes forward objectives of making the EU more transparent and accountable, for example by giving national Parliamentsfor the first timea direct say in EU law-making, thereby helping to deliver the objective of bringing Europe closer to its peoples.

European Union: Civil Servants

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civil servants work in offices representing the United Kingdom at the European Union; and what the total costs were of each office in which such staff were employed in the latest year for which figures are available, broken down by  (a) staff,  (b) office rental and  (c) other costs.

Caroline Flint: As at 7 November 2008, there were 105 UK civil servants working at the UK Permanent Representation to the EU. The total cost of the office in the financial year 2007-08 was 17,376,124. This figure is broken down by: 5,253,588 for staff; 1,024,000 for office rental and; 11,098,536 for other costs.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not have direct responsibility for any civil servants who represent Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, on 7 November 2008 the FCO was aware of 19 UK civil servants at the devolved administrations' representations. We do not hold information about the costs of these offices.

European Union: Civil Servants

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Government officials are based at the European Union institutions and not subject to the UK domestic income tax regime.

Gillian Merron: As at 10 November 2008, there were 229 officials from the UK Government at the European Union. 105 of these were working at the UK Permanent Representation to the EU, 124 were seconded to EU institutions.
	The salaries of all 229 of these officials are subject to UK domestic income tax. The secondees receive an allowance from the host institution. Those officials who have not been supported by their parent Department in moving their effects can also receive either a one-off allowance from the host institution, or receive a monthly removal allowance. These allowances are not subject to UK or Belgian income tax.

European Union: Economic Situation

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the President of the European Council to discuss the economic situation in the European Union.

Caroline Flint: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no recent meetings with the President of the European Council specifically on this subject. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is the Government's main interlocutor with the President of the European Council, and has travelled to Paris four times in recent weeks to meet President Sarkozy. In addition, my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary both attended the October European Council, where discussion focused on this area.

Exchange Rates

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to mitigate the impact of recent exchange rate changes on the overseas activities of  (a) his Department and  (b) the British Council.

Gillian Merron: The information is as follows:
	 (a) Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	The sharp fall in the value of sterling between October last year when our comprehensive spending review was agreed and the start of the new financial year this April has reduced the purchasing power of local budgets for many overseas posts. In order to give posts certainty about their budgets the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is taking the following steps to mitigate the impact of recent exchange rate changes:
	 Hedging
	A hedging strategy is being applied whereby forward purchases of foreign exchange are being made. These forward purchases (through the Bank of England) provide certainty of the volumes of currency that will be delivered on a given date for a contracted price, thereby supporting planning and budgeting.
	US Dollars and Euros account for approx 90 per cent. of our foreign exchange purchases, and to date we have forward purchased 80 per cent. of our forecast net exposure in these currencies through to October 2009. Currently this cover is being extended each month by one month, to ensure there is a minimum of 12 months rolling cover. The same technique is being applied for Japanese Yen.
	 Overseas Price Movement (OPM) mechanism
	The full amount of extra resource required by posts to offset exchange rate movements and overseas inflation is being funded. So far this year, this amounts to around 30 million.
	 (b) British Council
	Recent movements in exchange rates and the late removal of the OPM mechanism have resulted in an 8 million reduction in the purchasing power of the British Council's core grant for the current financial year. To minimise the impact on programmes, the British Council has centralised the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on operations, so that exchange rate losses and gains can be offset where possible. In addition, the British Council has policies in place to ensure a minimum level of cash balances are held in foreign currency bank accounts in overseas locations.

Friends of Pakistan

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how often the Friends of Pakistan group of which the UK is a member meets; what its objectives are; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Friends of Democratic Pakistan initiative brings together countries and multilateral organisations which are committed to Pakistan's long-term development in an effort to help the new government to tackle Pakistan's serious development, security and economic problems.
	The inaugural Friends meeting agreed to work in strategic partnership with the government of Pakistan to promote: Pakistan's stability, social and economic development; a comprehensive solution to the tribal belt; better energy provision; democracy; economic reform; rule of law; good governance; and counter-extremism. The group also agreed to appoint a special representative. To date, there has been one meeting. But there are plans to hold a second meeting in Abu Dhabi in November.

Government Communications

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies (i) are classified as Government communicators and (ii) have access to the Government Communication Network.

Gillian Merron: It is only possible to make a rough estimate of the number of people working in communications across the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) global network because Heads of Mission, diplomats and many of our local staff are professional communicators.
	An internal FCO evaluation in 2008 estimated the number of people specifically engaged in communications around the world at around 390, using 2006-07 data.
	These numbers are in addition to some 100 staff employed directly in London on communications-related activities. The responsibilities of the London team include: press office, all web-related work, internal communications, stakeholder relations, events, publications and public diplomacy (including managing the FCO relationship with the British Council, BBC World Service, Wilton Park, British Satellite News and the FCO's scholarship programmes).
	The FCO's agencies, FCO Services and Wilton Park, have seven positions between them dedicated to communication work.
	All civil servants who work in a communication role can access the Government Communication Network.

Gulf of Aden: Piracy

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of  (a) Kenya,  (b) Sudan and  (c) Somalia on the destination of the cargo aboard the Ukrainian freighter Faina which was seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden in September 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have discussed the hijack of the Ukrainian freighter Faina and the destination of its cargo with members of the government of Kenya and of the government of southern Sudan. Officials from both governments have stated publicly that the cargo is for the government of Kenya.
	We are concerned over the increase in acts of piracy and the opportunities this gives to armed groups in Somalia to finance and arm themselves. I look forward to a peaceful end to the hijack, and am looking at scope for further co-operation with the government of Kenya on bringing pirates to justice.

Gulf of Aden: Piracy

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the mandate will be for the EU counter-piracy naval operation in the Gulf of Aden; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The test of the joint action is currently being agreed, but we expect the EU operation to launch in early December. The aim of the operation is to implement UN Security Council Resolutions 1814, 1816 and 1838 by improving the maritime security situation in the region within the wider efforts of the EU to promote stability in Somalia. The objectives are twofoldthe protection of World Food programme shipping, a vital element of the humanitarian objective of UNSCR 1814, and the protection of vulnerable shipping in area by deterring and disrupting piratical activity in the Gulf of Aden.
	The legal basis for the EU led mission will be a joint action adopted under Articles 14, 25 (third subparagraph) and 28 (paragraph 3) of the treaty on European Union, to give effect to resolutions 1814/2008, 1816/2008 and 1838/2008 of the UN Security Council.

Gulf of Aden: Piracy

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the capacity of the government of Yemen to assist with or otherwise facilitate international counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The Government of Yemen, despite enthusiasm among the Yemeni coastguard, currently has little capacity to assist with international counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden. However, they have made progress in providing security in the Bab-el Mandeb Strait, which is key to the safe passage of the UK's energy resources from the middle east.

Gulf of Aden: Piracy

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which EU member states have committed to providing naval vessels and personnel for the EU counter-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The UK will be providing the operation commander and operation headquarters at the multinational headquarters Northwood.
	There have been informal offers from several EU member states contributing naval resources and personnel, although details will not be confirmed until the first formal force generation conference scheduled for 17-18 November 2008.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region: Tourism

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government is taking steps to promote tourism between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the United Kingdom.

Bill Rammell: The non-departmental Government body, Visit Britain, works closely with UK Trade and Investment, the British Council and the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong to promote tourism between Hong Kong and the UK. They are running two campaigns in Hong Kong, 'Classic Britain' and 'Dynamic Britain', which highlight tourism opportunities around British lifestyle elements such as shopping, eating-out, the countryside, sports, cultural events and performances. There is a high level of awareness about Britain in Hong Kong; 80 per cent. of Hong Kong visitors are repeat visitors.

Hong Kong: Overseas Residence

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) British citizens and  (b) British overseas citizens are registered as living in Hong Kong.

Bill Rammell: There are currently just under 900 British nationals registered with us as living in Hong Kong, although it is not compulsory for British nationals living overseas to register with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We estimate that approximately 250,000 British citizens live in Hong Kong, of whom 25,000 to 30,000 are expatriates. There are approximately 3.7 million British Nationals (Overseas) living in Hong Kong.

International Criminal Court: Public Appointments

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the election of five judges to the International Criminal Court by the UN General Assembly on 6 November 2008; what steps the Government took in  (a) proposing and  (b) supporting candidates for election to the Court; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: I believe my hon. Friend is referring to the election of judges to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
	On 6 November, Professor Christopher Greenwood was elected to the ICJ by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council. French, Jordanian, Brazilian and Somali candidates were also elected.
	Professor Greenwood was nominated to stand for election by the UK National Group in the Permanent Court of Arbitration, acting independently of government, and by 19 other National Groups, in accordance with article 4 of the court's statute.
	The Government fully supported Professor Greenwood's candidature.

Iraq: Civil Servants

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the  (a) allowance and  (b) bonus entitlements of UK civil servants working in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan are.

Gillian Merron: The average level of allowances over twelve months for a member of staff working in Iraq is 79,514. The equivalent figure for Afghanistan is 61,713. These figures are an average of allowances currently received by all staff at those posts. Allowances include a hazard conditions allowance, diplomatic service compensation allowance, a transfer grant, an overseas location allowance plus allowances for a travel package, heavy baggage, unaccompanied air freight and cost of living.
	Staff have no automatic entitlement to a bonus.

Iraq: Diplomatic Service

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether locally-engaged staff at the British Embassy in Baghdad are subject to UK employment laws.

Gillian Merron: Locally-engaged staff at the British embassy in Baghdad, and at all British missions worldwide, are subject to local labour laws.

Iraq: Diplomatic Service

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidelines on the procedures to follow in the case of a formal complaint by a member of the locally-engaged staff at the British Embassy in Baghdad.

Gillian Merron: I have placed a copy of the grievance procedures for locally-engaged staff at the British embassy in Baghdad in the Library of the House.

Iraq: Diplomatic Service

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many official complaints have been submitted to London headquarters by  (a) departmental and  (b) locally-engaged staff working in the British Embassy in Baghdad since 1 January 2004.

Gillian Merron: There have been no official complaints submitted to London by departmental and or locally-engaged staff working in the British embassy in Baghdad, since 1 January 2004.

Iraq: Weapons

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the draft of the Iraq dossier by Mr. John Williams dated 9 September 2002, whether  (a) Mr. Williams and  (b) any other communications official contributed further drafting material.

Bill Rammell: The Iraq Dossier by Mr. John Williams was written solely by Mr. Williams.

Israel: EU External Trade

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what the Government's policy is on the labelling of produce from Israel and the Palestinian territories; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he had during his recent visit to Israel on the labelling of produce from Israel and the Palestinian territories; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the labelling of food and food products originating in  (a) Israel,  (b) Israeli settlements on the West Bank and East Jerusalem,  (c) Israeli-controlled territory on the West Bank and  (d) areas of the West Bank under the control of the Palestinian authority in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Produce should be labelled clearly; consumers have the right to know what they are buying. Labelling goods as Produce of the West Bank means that consumers do not know whether they are buying goods from a Palestinian producer or from an illegal Israeli settlement. The Government support consumers' right to be able to make that choice.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the labelling of produce from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Israeli Foreign Minister Livni during his recent visit to Israel.
	The UK recently circulated a non-paper on illegal Israeli settlement produce to the EU as part of our contribution of proposals to forward the peace process. The UK is working with EU colleagues to find a way to give retailers and manufacturers clearer guidance on labelling best practice, against the background of our European Commission and World Trade Organisation obligations. The aim is to enable consumers to see whether a product is from an illegal Israeli settlement.

Kosovo

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what basis in international law the Government recognised the independence of Kosovo.

Caroline Flint: The normal criteria that we apply for recognition as a state remain as described in the written answer dated 16 November 1989,  Official Report, column 494 by then Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr. Sainsbury. In reaching our decision to recognise, which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced to the House in his statement of 19 February 2008,  Official Report, column 21WS, we considered that Kosovo satisfied these criteria.

Kyrgyzstan: Entry Clearances

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what  (a) discussions he has held and  (b) correspondence he has received relating to the failure of the Kyrgyzstan Ambassador to the UK to secure visas for musicians and performers from Kyrgyzstan to visit the UK at the Ambassador's invitation; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: We regret that the musicians and performers in question were unable to receive visas in time to attend the event organized by the Kyrgyz ambassador in London. Our Charge d'Affaires in Astana has written to the ambassador apologising for the inconvenience caused and explaining that two separate and critical IT failures were responsible for frustrating the best efforts of the entry clearance team in Almaty to issue visas in time. We remain committed to encouraging closer cultural and other links between our two countries, as underlined by the visit to the Kyrgyz Republic last month by HRH The Duke of York.

Libya

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of each of the five bilateral agreements signed with Libya on 17 November 2008.

David Miliband: The agreements with Libya on mutual legal assistance, extradition, prisoner transfer and judicial co-operation in civil and commercial matters were signed on 17 November. In accordance with the requirements of the Ponsonby Rule, they will shortly be published as Command Papers and laid before Parliament with an Explanatory Memorandum in the usual way. The agreement on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion, which was also signed on 17 November, is not subject to the Ponsonby Rule since such agreements are appended to the Order in Council which implements the agreement in UK domestic law. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the involvement of the Arab League in the Middle East peace process; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Bill Rammell: The Government support a comprehensive approach to the Middle East Peace Process, building on the Annapolis conference, the Quartet process, and the Arab Peace Initiative, and leading to a final settlement with two states living side by side in peace and security. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had positive discussions on this subject with Israeli, Palestinian and other interlocutors, including with the Secretary-General of the Arab League on 3 November. We welcome the constructive role that the Arab League has played and is continuing to play in the Middle East Peace Process.

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what recent steps the Government has taken to promote peace in the Middle East;
	(2)  what plans he has to discuss the prospects for peace in the Middle East with other governments.

Bill Rammell: During his recent visit to the middle east, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary held discussions with key Israeli and Palestinian officials on advancing the peace process. Discussion centred around the need for a comprehensive approach to the middle east peace process, and the need to build support for peace by addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza and illegal Israeli settlement activity.
	The UK continues to discuss the prospects for peace with other governments through various forums, including: monthly United Nations Security Council meetings on the situation in the middle east; with our EU partners at meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, the European Council and the Political Security Committee; and through officials based in our overseas posts.

Ministerial Duties

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the official duties of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in his Department are; how many overseas territories he has visited since appointment; which overseas territories he plans to visit; what plans he has to visit countries in  (a) the Caribbean,  (b) South East Asia and  (c) Central America; and what role he has in determining who lays a wreath on behalf of the overseas territories at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

Gillian Merron: The responsibilities of the Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) include the Overseas Territories, South America, Caribbean/Central America, Australasia and the Pacific region, consular policy, Africa, human rights, global issues and the Commonwealth in the House of Commons. Since being appointed in October 2008 I have visited Jamaica and Trinidad.
	When the parliamentary question was tabled in February, the portfolio of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the FCO covered the Overseas Territories, Caribbean/Central America, South East Asia, consular policy, UKTI, protocol, human resources and diversity in the FCO, as well as leading on Africa, human rights, global issues and the Commonwealth in the House of Commons.
	Overseas engagements for Government Ministers are kept under constant review. However, owing to the importance of our diplomatic relations with other states, it is not practice to announce ministerial visits until they are confirmed.
	The question of Overseas Territory representatives laying a wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday from 2009 is currently under consideration by the relevant Government Departments, including the FCO.

NATO

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with NATO counterparts on the possible accession of  (a) Georgia and  (b) Ukraine to NATO.

Caroline Flint: At the Bucharest Summit in April, NATO Heads of State and Government agreed that Georgia and Ukraine would become members of NATO. On 19 August NATO Foreign Ministers met in extraordinary session to discuss the situation in Georgia, and reaffirmed the Bucharest decision. In December, NATO Foreign Ministers will make a first assessment of Georgia and Ukraine's progress towards membership.

Oil: Armed Conflict

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on proposals for a tracking system for oil similar to the Kimberley process.

Gillian Merron: The theft of oil ('oil bunkering') from producing states deprives governments and their people of the benefit of their natural resource and can exacerbate the risk of conflict. This is particularly so in the Niger Delta: although overall volumes of stolen oil are relatively small (estimated at about 2 per cent. of total production), oil bunkering is an enabler of militant activity.
	The Government are determined to explore solutions to this problem and are aware there are parallels with efforts to tackle 'blood diamonds'. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is investigating the development of a tracking system for identifying stolen crude oil, similar to the Kimberley Process, which would certify the origin of crude exports. There are two significant initial challenges to be overcome: establishing the scientific capability and the commercial viability of such a process.
	FCO Strategic Programme Funding is enabling research into a technical solution by the University of Plymouth. This three-year project intends to establish a biometric database of Nigerian crude oils and develop a protocol to enable testing of crude oil specimens against this database. The FCO is also lobbying the international oil companies to contribute technical expertise to this research and to reduce the commercial barriers to such testing being introduced on a wide scale.

Performance Appraisal

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade in their annual report in the latest reporting year for which figures are available.

Gillian Merron: Under the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's performance improvement procedures unacceptable performance has to be addressed as soon as it occurs rather than waiting for the appraisal cycle to be completed. Annual report markings therefore only record cases of poor performance current at the end of the appraisal year.
	For the appraisal period 2007-08 15 staff (0.25 per cent.) did not achieve an acceptable mark in their annual report. The FCO does not centrally hold records on the appraisal markings of locally employed staff at its posts overseas. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Russia: Nuclear Weapons

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of Russian redeployment of ballistic missiles to sites close to NATO member countries' borders; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) today (Question 234947).

Rwanda: Armed Conflict

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Rwandan Government on the activities of CNDP forces.

Gillian Merron: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met President Kagame on 1 November with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner, during which he urged President Kagame to back efforts to find a political solution to the problems in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rwanda: Trade

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Rwanda on the control of cross-border trade between Rwanda and North Kivu; and what reports he has received on whether such trade provides revenues for Laurent Nkunda's CNDP forces.

Gillian Merron: There have been on-going discussions with the governments of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo on the issue of control of cross border trade, including discussion about methods to encourage such trade out of the shadow economy and into the formal economy.

Somalia: Armed Conflict

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the continuing presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia on the security situation in the country; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: Ethiopian troops have maintained a presence in Somalia since their intervention in December 2006 at the invitation of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. Ethiopian troops work alongside Somali and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) security forces protecting the airport, seaport, presidential palace and other key locations in the city. They are a key target for insurgents and those hostile to the Transitional Federal Government and to the presence of foreign troops in Somalia.
	The international community has urged Ethiopia to withdraw its troops as soon as possible. The Ethiopian Government have confirmed their wish to do so. Ethiopian discussions with the Somalis on managing troop withdrawal have contributed to the Djibouti Agreement and the decision by the key parties to implement a cease-fire from 5 November 2008.

Somalia: Peace Negotiations

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department is providing to peace negotiations between the transitional federal government and opposition groups in Somalia.

Gillian Merron: The peace negotiations between the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and the main political opposition group, the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia began in late May 2008 and are ongoing. The Djibouti Agreement, reached on 9 June and signed on 19 August 2008, presents the best hope for peace in Somalia for many years. On 26 October, the parties to the agreement announced plans to form a Unity Government and to implement a ceasefire from 5 November 2008.
	The Government have provided political support and encouragement to the parties by engaging with key interlocutors and participants in the talks through staff at the British High Commission in Nairobi and the British Embassy in Addis Ababa. Our staff work closely with the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General, who brokered the talks, and the UN Political Office for Somalia, based in Nairobi, as well as directly with the Somalis.
	During the current financial year, the Government have committed 1 million to support dialogue in Somalia, of which 500,000 has been allocated to local dialogue projects implemented by the non-governmental organisation Interpeace and 500,000 has been allocated through the UN to supporting the national level Djibouti peace process.

Somalia: Peacekeeping Operations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in increasing the number of African Union troops in Somalia over the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: Approximately 1,800 Ugandan troops formed the initial deployment of the African Union (AU) Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). In February 2008 a Burundian battalion arrived in Mogadishu, with a second battalion arriving in October 2008. The additional troops have increased the total number of AU troops to approximately 3,500.

Somalia: Politics and Government

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the UN on the situation in Somalia.

Gillian Merron: The UK engages regularly with various UN agencies, including those concerned with human rights, humanitarian affairs, peacekeeping operations, safety and security and with the UN Development Programme, as well as other members of the UN Security Council, on Somalia. We also have close working relations with the UN Political Office for Somalia, based in Nairobi.
	Most recently, my noble Friend Lord Malloch-Brown discussed Somalia with the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General for Somalia in Nairobi on 7 November.

Sri Lanka: EU External Trade

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the proposed extension of the European Union's Generalised System of Preference Plus agreement with Sri Lanka when it expires in December 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: I have been asked to reply.
	On 18 October the European Commission initiated an investigation into Sri Lanka's effective implementation of certain human rights conventions required in order to benefit from the special incentive arrangement for good governance and sustainable development (Generalised System of Preference Plus (GSP+)).
	As set out in the Generalised System of Preference (GSP) Regulation, GSP+ preferences shall continue to be granted from 1 January 2009 to any country subject to an investigation until the date of conclusion of such investigation.
	In order that the GSP+ scheme continues as a credible instrument for promoting good governance we are committed to ensuring that recipient countries effectively implement the core human rights conventions.

Stem Cells: Research

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the report of the seminar on stem cell research organised by the British Embassy in Israel on 26 and 27 March 2008 to be published; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has no plans to publish this report. The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) take the lead on the issue. My officials have contacted DIUS to confirm whether the report will be officially published.

Sudan: Armed Conflict

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the final report of the Ceasefire Joint Monitoring Commission into the events of May 2008 in Abyei to be published; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Force Commander of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) has prepared a draft Ceasefire Joint Monitoring Commission (CJMC) report into the events of May in Abyei. We understand agreement and publication of the report has been delayed by representatives on the CJMC from both sides, the National Congress Party and the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement.

Sudan: Arms Trade

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1556 on the provision of arms to Sudan; what recent reports he has received on the maintenance of the arms embargo; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: In its latest report of 3 October 2007, the UN Panel of Experts (which was established by UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1591 to monitor UNSCR 1556 on the provision of arms to Darfur) assessed that violations of the arms embargo continued, both by the Government of Sudan and non-state armed groups, during the period of the report (29 September 2006 to 29 August 2007). The panel reported that heavy weapons (artillery pieces), small arms, ammunition and other military equipment was entering Darfur from other countries. The panel further reported that the Government of Sudan had not submitted the necessary requests for approval to the UN to enable the movement of weapons, ammunition or other military equipment into Darfur, thereby knowingly violating the provisions of the Resolution.
	The UK continues to request that the UN extend its arms embargo on Darfur to all of Sudan, but not all Security Council members agree. The EU has implemented an arms embargo on the whole of Sudan via Common Position 2005/411/CFSP.

Syria

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had during his recent visit to Syria about Syrian support for  (a) Hamas and  (b) Hezbollah; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: During his visit to Damascus on 17-18 November, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised with his interlocutors the importance of all actors in the region working for peace and stability. He stressed that those who sought to achieve political goals through the use of violence, and those who supported them in doing so, were an obstacle to peace. He specifically raised Hamas and Hezbollah in this context.

Trade Unions

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he had with trades union officials since 1 July 2007; on what dates; and with which trades unions.

Gillian Merron: Ministers meet many people as part of the process of policy development. It is not normal practice to disclose details of such meetings.

Treaty of Lisbon

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on implementation of the Lisbon Treaty.

Caroline Flint: I wrote to the Chairs of the Lords Select Committee and the European Scrutiny Committee on 30 October confirming that technical discussions on detailed Lisbon Treaty implementation issues have been suspended. Under the Slovenian presidency in the first half of 2008 a series of technical issues were identified for implementation workas has happened on every EU amending treaty to date. The Government will continue to keep Parliament updated if and when a presidency proposes to restart any such discussions.

Turkey: Prisoners

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Turkish authorities on the imprisonment of Abdullah Ocalan in the last two years.

Caroline Flint: We have not had any discussions with the Turkish authorities specifically on the imprisonment of Abdullah Ocalan in the last two years.
	However, we continue to encourage Turkey to make the reforms necessary to ensure the full implementation of EU human rights standards, including conditions of detention. To this end, we regularly urge Turkey to ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture (OPCAT), which sets out a system of independently monitoring prisons with the aim of preventing torture or inhuman treatment.
	Moreover, the EU is providing financial support and expert advice for reforms to the prison system planned by the Turkish authorities through the Judicial Modernisation and Penal Reform programme, jointly with the Council of Europe.

Turkey: Prisoners

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports of the ill-treatment of Abdullah Ocalan in Turkey.

Caroline Flint: We are aware of ongoing allegations of the ill-treatment of Abdullah Ocalan in Turkey, but have seen no conclusive evidence to substantiate them.
	We note that the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) sent a delegation to Turkey in May 2007 which assessed the conditions of detention of Mr. Ocalan. This visit was the fourth by the CPT to Imrali High-Security Closed Prison and while they noted that there remained scope for improvement, the conditions did not constitute ill-treatment.
	As part of our ongoing bilateral dialogue, we continue to encourage the Turkish government to ensure that the treatment of all prisoners is in line with EU human rights standards. Standards of detention form part of the criteria examined in the EU accession process.

Turks and Caicos Islands: Overseas Investment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage greater investment in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Gillian Merron: Responsibility for investment promotion has been devolved to the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and is undertaken by TCInvest.

Turks and Caicos Islands: Overseas Residence

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of former UK residents who have taken up residence in the Turks and Caicos Islands in the last five years.

Gillian Merron: Figures provided by the Turks and Caicos Islands Immigration Board show that 28 British citizens received temporary residence permits during the period 2004-07 and a further 175 received work permits.
	Information for previous years is not available.

Turks and Caicos Islands: Tourism

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people from the Turks and Caicos Islands visited the UK in 2007.

Gillian Merron: Statistics from the Home Office show that people holding Turks and Caicos Islands passports made 110 journeys into the United Kingdom in 2007. Of these, 55 entered the United Kingdom on British citizen passports.

Turks and Caicos Islands: Tourism

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department plans to take to encourage tourism between the UK and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Gillian Merron: There are no plans to encourage tourism between the UK and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Responsibility for tourism has been devolved to the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Uganda: Armed Conflict

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the final peace agreement between the Lord's Resistance Army and the Government of Uganda to be signed; and what assessment he has made of the effect of the time taken to sign the agreement on security and stability in the region, including Greater Equatoria and Southern Sudan.

Gillian Merron: The UN special envoy to northern Uganda and Southern Sudan, Joaquim Chissano and the chief mediator to the Juba Peace Process, Dr. Riek Machar, have called on the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) leader, Joseph Kony, to sign the Final Peace Agreement by the 29 November. There can be no guarantee, however, that Kony will sign.
	The LRA poses an increasingly serious threat to security in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), southern Sudan and the Central African Republic. It has carried out numerous attacks against both civilians and military forces in recent months. The civilian attacks have resulted in more abductions. The majority of attacks have been within the DRC. However, the LRA has also been active along the border with southern Sudan, resulting in refugees fleeing into southern Sudan. The LRA attacked a village in southern Sudan in September.

United Nations Day

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he took to mark United Nations Day on 24 October 2008.

Bill Rammell: To mark United Nations Day on 24 October 2008, my noble Friend Lord Malloch-Brown took part in a debate on the United Nations on 23 October, organised by the Global Development Forum. The Minister also issued a statement on 24 October recognising and applauding the UN's achievements.
	Sir John Sawers, our Permanent Representative to the United Nations, marked UN Day by giving a keynote speech in Boston entitled Today's United NationsTomorrow's Challenges to the United Nations Association of Greater Boston.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office was also represented at senior official level at an event hosted by the United Nations Association - UK entitled Lobby for the UN on 24 October.

Western Sahara: Politics and Government

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what dates have been set for further UN talks intended to bring about a negotiated solution to the dispute in Western Sahara.

Bill Rammell: The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1754 adopted in April 2007 called on the parties to the dispute over Western Sahara to enter into negotiations without preconditions. The UN Secretary-General's then Personal Envoy Peter Van Walsum chaired the negotiations between the parties in June and August 2007, and in January and March of this year. No date has been set as yet for the next round of talks.
	Nevertheless, UN Security Council adopted UN Security Council Resolution 1813 on 30 April called on the parties to show greater political will and to enter into more intensive and substantive negotiations towards a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
	The UK has welcomed these negotiations and has encouraged the parties to maintain their commitment to the process. We hope a further round of negotiations will be held soon.

Zimbabwe: Asylum

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of Zimbabwean refugees who have fled to Botswana since March 2008; what assessment he has made of their security and safety; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: Zimbabwe's social and economic decline has forced many Zimbabweans to leave the country during the last few years. The vast majority of these migrants do so through irregular means, thus making it impossible to estimate numbers accurately. The post election violence saw a significant increase in requests for formal asylum and refugee status in neighbouring countries, especially in Botswana. We are aware that 822 Zimbabweans have been granted refugee status in Botswana, the majority of whom are accommodated at the Dukwi refugee settlement. The government of Botswana have worked very closely with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and ensured that those received in Botswana are provided with the necessary protection for their safety and security. In response to the increased number of Zimbabweans crossing into Botswana, the UK provided funds to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) to assist with upgrading sanitation/hygiene facilities at the refugee centre.

Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Doug Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department plans to take alongside the UN Security Council in monitoring and working towards a resolution of the situation in Zimbabwe.

Gillian Merron: We continue to monitor the situation in Zimbabwe closely. Along with other EU member states, we have condemned Robert Mugabe's unilateral allocation of ministerial portfolios. We continue to press for the formation of a government agreed by all parties. This should reflect the will of the people of Zimbabwe as expressed in the outcome of the 29 March elections which gave Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC a clear majority.
	We will assess the new government by the way in which it brings about change and reform. If it does so, the UK and the rest of the international community stands ready to provide support. Early steps must include tough measures to stabilise the economy, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid for all who need it and the removal of oppressive legislation. In the meantime, we will continue to provide humanitarian support to address the immediate needs of the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe. The UN's humanitarian agencies continue to follow the humanitarian situation carefully.

Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of former employees of the Southern Rhodesian Government living in the UK and not receiving pensions from the Zimbabwean Government; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: We do not maintain records of former employees of the Southern Rhodesian Government. The Overseas Service Pensioners' Association estimate there are some 350 such pensioners currently living in the UK.
	Our consular officials met the Director of the Zimbabwe Pensions Service on 16 October and again reminded him of the Government of Zimbabwe's legal obligation to pay these pensions.

WALES

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much his Department has spent on  (a) flat screen televisions,  (b) DVD players and  (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years.

Paul Murphy: In the financial year 2006-07 my Department spent 224.16 on two flat screen televisions and 67.97 on a DVD recorder and player. No purchases were made in 2005-06 or 2007-08 on the above equipment.

Departmental Information Officers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many full-time equivalent press officers  (a) work for and  (b) provide assistance to his Department.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office has three full-time press officers.

Departmental Internet

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 
	(1)  how many page hits from how many visitors his Department's website received in 2007-08;
	(2)  what the cost of maintaining his Department's website was in 2007-08; and what forecast has been made of the costs of maintaining websites within his responsibility in 2008-09.

Paul Murphy: Hits on the Wales Office websites have only been collated since the new websites were launched in February 2008. Since then
	www.walesoffice.gov.uk
	and
	www.swyddfa.cymru.gov.uk
	have received 58,947 page hits from 16,590 visitors.
	The cost of maintaining the websites for 2007-08 was 5,875 and for 2008-09 will be 6,900.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent on entertainment by his Department in Gwydyr House in 2007-08; and how much of that was accounted for by food.

Paul Murphy: My Department spent 7,890.43 on entertainment in Gwydyr House in 2007-08, of which, 5,197.19 was spent on food.

Environment Protection

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to lay before Parliament the draft Environmental Pollution and Waste Management (National Assembly for Wales) Legislative Competence Order.

Paul Murphy: Discussions are continuing between the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly government on the proposed order for legislative competence. Once those discussions have concluded, I shall submit the proposed order for pre-legislative scrutiny.

Racial Harassment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in the last 12 months.

Paul Murphy: None.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Big Lottery Fund: Public Participation

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many responses the Big Lottery Fund has received to its Big Thinking consultation.

Barbara Follett: The Big Lottery Fund have advised that 'BIG Thinking', the UK-wide Big Lottery Fund consultation, was launched on 17 November 2008 and will run until the end of February 2009. As of 19 November 2008, 85 full responses have been received.

Buildings: Protection

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many  (a) buildings and  (b) other monuments were on the At Risk register in each year since 1997.

Barbara Follett: The information requested has been provided by English Heritage and is set out in the following table. The Buildings at Risk Register started in 1998.
	
		
			   Number of Grade I and II* listed building entries  Number of structural scheduled monument entries  Total number of entries on the register 
			 1998 1,068 249 1,317 
			 1999 1,158 270 1,428 
			 2000 1,167 284 1,451 
			 2001 1,148 281 1,429 
			 2002 1,117 281 1,398 
			 2003 1,100 273 1,373 
			 2004 1,058 280 1,338 
			 2005 1,029 273 1,302 
			 2006 1,001 272 1,273 
			 2007 966 269 1,235 
			 2008 977 265 1,242

Christmas

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much  (a) his Department and  (b) its agency have spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months.

Barbara Follett: The Department has spent the following in the last 12 months:
	(a) Christmas cards: 2,284 (including typesetting and print);
	(b) Parties: 11,600 for Secretary of State Christmas Reception at The Royal Festival Hall and 1,637 journalists drinks reception;
	(c) Decorations: 541Christmas trees for three sites plus decorations.
	The Royal Parks Agency has spent the following in the last 12 months:
	(a) Christmas cards: 2,526 (Christmas e-card, including design);
	(b) Parties: zero spend;
	(c) Decorations: zero spend.

Departmental Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08.

Barbara Follett: Brand activity is spread across the Department's Corporate Communications team. The estimated time spent on brand activity was 0.75 full-time equivalent staff. The staff cost was 36,346 in 2007-08.

Departmental Research

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what projects have been commissioned using his Department's Joint Research Budget; and what the estimated total cost of each project is.

Andy Burnham: To date no projects have been commissioned.

Departmental Research

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when his Department completed its strategic analysis of the first six months of its Joint Research Budget; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library.

Andy Burnham: No strategic analysis of the Joint Research Budget has been undertaken. The budget is a source of funding for the commissioning of strategic research to underpin the development of policy in culture and sport.

Departmental Training

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what dates  (a) he and  (b) other Ministers in his Department received media training during the last 12 months.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) 19 March 2008 and 7 October 2008.
	 (b) No other media training has been undertaken by other DCMS Ministers.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme: East Midlands

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the percentage of households in the East Midlands that will qualify for assistance under the Digital Switchover Help Scheme.

Andy Burnham: The Digital Switchover Help Scheme assesses the numbers of eligible households by ITV region, which in this case is the Central ITV region, and includes the West and East Midlands. The Digital Switchover Help Scheme advises that 1,030,000 households in the region are eligible to receive assistance from the scheme. Figures for the total number of households in the region, and therefore the percentage eligible, are unavailable.

European Year of Intercultural Dialogue

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what projects have been undertaken in England as part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

Barbara Follett: Almost 100 projects have been undertaken as part of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue in the UK with over 80 of these taking place in England.
	Liverpool's project, 'Intercultural City', which forms part of Liverpool's Capital of Culture programme, was chosen by the European Commission as the representative UK national project for the year, and received funding from the Commission. This is a year long project throughout 2008.
	I am arranging for a copy of the full list of projects to be deposited in the Library of both Houses.

Museums, Libraries and Archives Council: Employment Agencies

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council spent on recruitment consultants in each of the last five years; and which companies provided these services.

Andy Burnham: The Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) has provided the information in the following table for spend on recruitment consultants.
	
		
			  Financial year  Cost of recruitment agencies  
			 2003-04 (1)Not available 
			 2004-05 (1)Not available 
			 2005-06 119,949 
			 2006-07 262,742 
			 2007-08 167,127 
			 Total 549,818 
			 (1) The MLA has advised that the figures for 2003-04 and 2004-05 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. 
		
	
	The recruitment companies used were:
	Convent Garden Bureau
	Ethnic Media Group
	Evening Standard
	GWT Media Services
	Guardian Newspaper
	Inst of Field Archaeologists
	Michael Page
	Millennium Three Consultancy Ltd.
	MJ Magazine Recruitments
	MKH Advertising, Museum Ass
	Odgers Ray  Berndston
	Pearson Press Ltd.
	People Management Services
	Reed Learning
	Route Productino Ltd.
	Robert Half
	Tribal Resourcing Ltd.
	Vee Tee Ay (Media Resources)
	Workmates Consulting Hr Cons.
	Yourable Ltd.
	1000.

National Lottery: Play

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of the funding available under the Big Lottery Fund Children's Play initiative has been  (a) committed and  (b) spent.

Barbara Follett: The Big Lottery Fund has now committed all funding under the Children's Play Initiative. The Big Lottery Fund has provided the following committed and spent details:
	
		
			
			  Committed  
			 Children's Play Portfolio 123,093,923 
			 Playful Ideas 12,076,642 
			 Play Infrastructure 15,288,077 
			   
			  Paid to date  
			 Children's Play Portfolio 28,792,390 
			 Playful Ideas 3,704,517 
			 Play Infrastructure 7,609,205

Remembrance Day

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday 2008; by whom they were laid; on whose behalf they were laid; and whether wreaths were laid directly or indirectly on behalf of  (a) the Isle of Man,  (b) Jersey,  (c) Guernsey,  (d) Alderney and  (e) Sark.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 18 November 2008
	A list of those who laid wreaths at the Cenotaph as part of the national ceremony of Remembrance 2008 on 9 November is as follows. This list is also available on the DCMS website at:
	www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/historic_environment/3333.aspx.
	Her Majesty laid a wreath on behalf of the whole nation, including the Crown dependencies.
	A number of other wreaths were laid throughout the day.
	 Wreath layers
	Her Majesty the Queen
	HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
	HRH The Prince of Wales
	HRH Prince William of Wales
	HRH The Duke of York
	HRH The Earl of Wessex
	HRH The Princess Royal
	HRH The Duke of Kent
	The Prime Minister
	The Leader of the Opposition
	The Leader of the Liberal Democrats
	The Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party
	The Representative of Plaid Cymru (also on behalf of the Scottish National Party)
	The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
	Their Excellencies the High Commissioners, or their deputies, for:
	Antigua and Barbuda
	Australia
	Bahamas
	Bangladesh
	Barbados
	Belize
	Botswana
	Brunei
	Cameroon
	Canada
	Commonwealth of Dominica
	Cyprus
	Fiji
	Ghana
	Grenada
	Guyana
	India
	Jamaica
	Kenya
	Lesotho
	Malawi
	Malaysia
	Maldives
	Malta
	Mauritius
	Mozambique
	Namibia
	New Zealand
	Nigeria
	Pakistan
	Papua New Guinea
	Sierra Leone
	Singapore
	South Africa
	Sri Lanka
	St Christopher and Nevis
	St Lucia
	St Vincent and the Grenadines
	Swaziland
	Tanzania
	The Gambia
	Tonga
	Trinidad and Tobago
	Uganda
	Zambia
	Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, First Sea Lord
	General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff
	Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, Chief of the Air Staff
	Captain James Alan Hofton, (Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets)
	Wing Commander Eric Viles (Merchant Air Service)
	Sir Ken Knight, HM Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor, (Civilian Services).

Swimming

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations his Department has received from local authorities on the financial effects of the plans for free swimming for over-60s on local authorities.

Andy Burnham: We are collating final responses but have received to date approximately 30 representations from local authorities on the financial effects of proposals for free swimming for over-60s.

Swimming

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding has been made available to local authorities to implement the Government's free swimming initiative over the next 12 months.

Andy Burnham: Over the next three years, the Government will be investing 140 million in the Free Swimming Programme. This will be broken down across those years as follows:
	
		
			   Capital  Revenue  Total 
			 2008-09 10 0 10 
			 2009-10 25 40 65 
			 2010-11 25 40 65

Swimming

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what proportion of local authorities have implemented the Government's free swimming initiative to date;
	(2)  which local authorities have not implemented the Government's free swimming initiative to date; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Government's Free Swimming Programme will roll out on 1 April 2009. The closing date for local authorities to confirm their participation in all elements of the programme has now passed. We are collating responses and I will be issuing a statement shortly.

Theatre: Finance

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what public funding his Department made available to theatre companies in the East Midlands in each year between 1999 and 2007.

Barbara Follett: Information from Arts Council England is that it has provided funds for theatres in the East Midlands as set out in the table.
	
		
			   
			   Regularly funded organisation scheme  Additional national lottery funding for theatre-related activities 
			 1999-2000 2,477,560 149,817 
			 2000-01 2,637,895 1,770,033 
			 2001-02 2,722,040 636,211 
			 2002-03 3,280,915 202,391 
			 2003-04 4,295,240 1,622,334 
			 2004-05 4,522,621 (1)12,945,072 
			 2005-06 4,707,915 1,138,348 
			 2006-07 4,798,035 783,933 
			 2007-08 5,067,256 583,998 
			 (1) Includes 12,200,000 award to the construction of The CurveLeicester Theatre Trust Ltd.

Tourism

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which 10 destinations in England were most frequently visited by domestic tourists in each of the last 10 years.

Barbara Follett: Visit Britain has provided the following list of the top ten English destinations for UK resident tourists for 2006 and 2007, taken from the United Kingdom Tourism Survey. There is no comparable data available for the years prior to 2006.
	
		
			  Top 10 trips of one+ nights (including business trips) 
			   Destination  Number (thousand) 
			  2006   
			 1 London 10,959 
			 2 Manchester 2,490 
			 3 Birmingham 2,287 
			 4 Bristol 1,825 
			 5 Blackpool 1,787 
			 6 Leeds 1,436 
			 7 Scarborough 1,383 
			 8 Newcastle upon Tyne 1,298 
			 9 Liverpool 1,257 
			 10 York 1,247 
			
			  2007   
			 1 London 10,144 
			 2 Manchester 2,330 
			 3 Birmingham 2,293 
			 4 Blackpool 1,873 
			 5 Bristol 1,553 
			 6 Scarborough 1,488 
			 7 Leeds 1,403 
			 8 York 1,191 
			 9 Sheffield 1,137 
			 10 Newcastle upon Tyne 1,094 
			  Notes: 1. Please note that the United Kingdom Tourism Survey is a national and regional survey and is therefore only robust at this level. 2. All data in this table should be used with caution as sample sizes can be low.  Source: United Kingdom Tourism Survey 2006 and 2007 
		
	
	
		
			  Top 10 holidays of one+ nights 
			   Destination  Number (thousand) 
			  2006   
			 1 London 5,498 
			 2 Blackpool 1,502 
			 3 Manchester 1,331 
			 4 Scarborough 1,255 
			 5 Birmingham 994 
			 6 Skegness 933 
			 7 Bristol 930 
			 8 Isle of Wight 908 
			 9 York 846 
			 10 Bournemouth 732 
			
			  2007   
			 1 London 5,047 
			 2 Blackpool 1,605 
			 3 Scarborough 1,365 
			 4 Birmingham 973 
			 5 Isle of Wight 920 
			 6 Manchester 910 
			 7 Bournemouth 773 
			 8 York 767 
			 9 Bristol 744 
			 10 Skegness 743 
			  Notes: 1. Please note that the United Kingdom Tourism Survey is a national and regional survey and is therefore only robust at this level. 2. All data in this table should be used with caution as sample sizes can be low.  Source: United Kingdom Tourism Survey 2006 and 2007

UK Film Council: East Midlands

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent by the UK Film Council in the East Midlands in each of the last five years.

Barbara Follett: The UK Film Council provides funding both directly, through targeted funding schemes, and indirectly through funded partners such as Regional Screen Agencies, the BFI and Skillset. The UK Film Council have informed us that the amount of funding spent over the last five years in the East Midlands is as follows:
	
		
			
			 2003-04 1,471,489 
			 2004-05 1,485,255 
			 2005-06 2,865,108 
			 2006-07 1,757,003 
			 2007-08 1,574,516

Visit Britain: Finance

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial contribution Visit London made to Visit Britain in each of the last five years.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 17 November 2008
	Visit Britain have advised that they do not receive any direct funding from Visit London. Visit London is financed by the London Development Agency and private business and is accountable to the Mayor of London.
	Visit Britain does however engage in joint ventures with Visit London where Visit London contributes to costs. The following contributions have been made in the last five years.
	
		
			  Financial year ending 31 March  Contribution () 
			 2004 1,242,000 
			 2005 1,007,000 
			 2006 1,172,000 
			 2007 974,000 
			 2008 800,000

TRANSPORT

Aviation

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what projections he has made of the change in the number of flight movements at  (a) Heathrow and  (b) all UK airports between 2030 and 2050.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport projected annual air traffic movements (ATM) for all UK airports to 2050, including 2030 figures, in its UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts (2007) report, page 49. This is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/ukairdemandandco2forecasts/
	The Department for Transport also stated its projected annual ATM for Heathrow to 2030 in its Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport consultation document, page 209. This is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/heathrowconsultation/consultationdocument/
	With maximum use of its existing runways, there are projected to be 480,000 ATMs at Heathrow in 2030. This is assumed to remain constant between 2030 and 2050.
	With additional capacity at Heathrow, there are projected to be 702,000 ATMs in 2030. This is assumed to remain constant between 2030 and 2050.

Aviation: Exhaust Emissions

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the changes to aviation policy which will be necessary as a result of  (a) inclusion of the aviation sector in the Climate Change Bill and  (b) the decision to set a target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 per cent. by 2050.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government's policy for the sustainable, long-term development of the aviation industry was set out in the 2003 Air Transport White Paper. This included a comprehensive approach to addressing aviation's environmental impacts.
	International aviation emissions are not included within the system of greenhouse gas budgets and targets provided by the Climate Change Bill, as there is no agreement as to how to allocate such emissions to individual countries; emissions from domestic aviation are included. The Bill does provide for the inclusion of international aviation emissions at a later date, which will allow the Government to maintain consistency with international practice.
	As a result of Government amendments to the Bill, both the Government and the Committee on Climate Change will be required to take account of projected emissions from international aviation in setting, and advising on, carbon budgets, respectively.
	In taking this approach, the Government have followed the recommendation of the shadow Committee on Climate Change in their interim advice in October this year.

Aviation: Passengers

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to take to ensure that in all cases air passengers stranded abroad as a result of airline failure are able to be repatriated; and what consideration he is giving to a statutory scheme to achieve this.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The air travel organiser's licence (ATOL) scheme run by the Civil Aviation Authority already ensures that anyone on a package holiday including a flight can finish their holiday and return home as planned in the event of their tour operator or airline becoming insolvent. This requirement comes from the EU Package Travel Directive.
	As part of the Department for Transport's work to learn the lessons of XL's failure, we are examining how those not covered by the ATOL scheme got home including via other airlines, some of whom offered discount repatriation fares.

Brussels

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007-08; and how many such visits were made by  (a) air and  (b) rail.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport (central) and four of its agencies (Driving Standards Agency, Government Car and Despatch Agency, Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) do not record details of journeys by destination, and could provide the information only at disproportionate cost
	Highways Agency staff made eight visits by air at a cost of 2,170, and eight visits by rail at a cost of 1,597.
	Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency recorded nine return flights at a cost of 3,129, and no rail journeys.
	Vehicle Certification Agency spent 4,507 on return travel to Brussels, but cannot differentiate between air and rail journeys, except at disproportionate cost.

Bus Services: Competition

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what strategies his Department employs to ensure competition between local bus operators to encourage better services for passengers.

Paul Clark: The Local Transport Bill contains various measures, building on those in the Transport Act 2000, to enable stronger, more effective partnership working between local authorities and bus operators to deliver services that better meet the needs of passengers. It includes a tailored competition test and enforcement regime that would apply to voluntary partnership agreements between authorities and operators, and to certain other agreements between operators. Further details are contained in the Explanatory Notes to the Bill, and the Office of Fair Trading has recently consulted on draft guidance to support these provisions in the Bill.

Bus Services: Concessions

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from Torbay local authority since April 2007 on funding for the national concessionary bus fares scheme.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport received representations from Torbay council last autumn when over 200 responses were received to the Department's consultation on the formula distribution for the special grant for the new England-wide concession. Also, in July 2008 a senior public transport officer of Torbay council wrote expressing his concern about the allocation of special grant funding. In September 2008 the mayor of Torbay wrote on this issue to the Department for Communities and Local Government. The correspondence was answered by officials in the Department for Transport.

Bus Services: Concessions

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to raise the age of eligibility for concessionary bus travel in line with changes to the pensionable age between 2010 and 2020.

Paul Clark: We have no current plans to do so. At present eligibility for the national concessionary bus pass is defined as 60 years old, or over, rather than linked to the actual pension age.

Buses: Accidents

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents involving bus passengers were reported in each of the last five years, broken down by  (a) constituency and  (b) service provider; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of reported personal injury accidents with at least one bus passenger casualty in each of the last five years is given in the table which has been deposited in the Libraries of the House. Information on the service provider is not collected by the Department.

Christmas

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months.

Geoff Hoon: The information is set as follows.
	
		
			   (inc. VAT) 
			  Christmas:  (a) Cards  (b) Parties  (c) Decorations 
			 Central Department 1,737 0 1,077 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 4,126 0 0 
			 Driving Standards Agency 2,200 0 0 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 0 6,875 0 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 0 0 0 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 0 1,961 0 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency 0 0 0 
			 Highways Agency 0 0 (1) 
			 (1) Christmas trees are provided at the HA as part of the internal planting contract, but the sum is small and cannot be disaggregated.

Crossrail: Finance

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether an agreement has been made with BAA on the exact amount of funding BAA will contribute to Crossrail.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport and BAA announced on 4 November that agreement had been reached about the terms on which BAA will make a contribution worth 180 million in 2007 prices. The contribution, which will be paid in two instalments, is subject to indexation and so the actual amount paid will depend on its timing (and the first payment cannot be earlier than April 2013). Certain conditions will have to be met that may affect the timing or size of the contribution: for example, the contribution is subject to progress with construction of new viaducts at Stockley to improve the capacity and reliability of rail access to the airport; and it is also subject to the regulatory approval of the CAA.

Cycling England: Finance

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what payments Cycling England has  (a) made in the last 12 months and  (b) is contracted to make, to public affairs consultants; and for what purposes.

Paul Clark: Blue Rubicon has been contracted through the Central Office of Information since 2005 to provide PR consultancy services to Cycling England. The agency delivers a programme of activity targeting consumers and engaging stakeholders with the aim to get more people cycling, more safely, more often.
	Expenditure for the period November 2007-November 2008 has been 969,759. Spend so far this financial year is 390,766. This includes costs for running a general press office; website development and maintenance; development and promotion of Bikeability (Cycling England's flagship award scheme, teaching children to cycle safely and responsibly); event management; commissioning research into and promoting the benefits of cycling. The estimated spend for the rest of the current financial year is 341,996. The contract ends in March 2009 and is due to be retendered in January.

Cycling: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pedestrians have been killed in accidents involving cyclists and no other vehicles in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of pedestrians killed in reported personal injury road accidents involving a pedal cycle and no other vehicle in each of the last 10 years are given in the table.
	
		
			   Number of pedestrian fatalities 
			 1998 2 
			 1999 5 
			 2000 1 
			 2001 0 
			 2002 3 
			 2003 4 
			 2004 1 
			 2005 3 
			 2006 3 
			 2007 3

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Road Traffic

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the average delay caused by congestion at the Dartford River Crossing to users during  (a) morning peak times and  (b) afternoon peak times on (i) week days and (ii) weekends to users travelling from (A) junction 2 of the M25, (B) junction 3 of the M25, (C) junction 29 of the M25, (D) the A2 travelling eastbound heading on to the A282, (E) the A2 travelling westbound and then heading on to the A282, (F) the A13 travelling eastbound and then heading on to the A282 and (G) the A13 travelling westbound and then heading on to the A282.

Paul Clark: The Department has not made estimates to the level of detail requested.

Departmental Catering

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether food and drink on sale to staff of  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport does not subsidise food or drink sold at its main London HQ buildings. The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and the Government Gar and Despatch Agency provide subsidised catering facilities. The Department's other executive agencies do not.

Departmental Civil Servants

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many civil servants have been employed by each of his Department's agencies and non-departmental bodies in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the Department for Transport Annual Report 2008, Appendix A, Table A6. Copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.
	The information requested for non-departmental bodies can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Consultants

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many external consultants work for his Department.

Geoff Hoon: The following table shows the number of consultants working in the Department as recorded in the Department's Human Resources systems:
	
		
			  Location  Consultants( 1) 
			 DfT Central 114 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 0 
			 Highways Agency 184 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 12 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 0 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 25 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency 3 
			 Total 338 
			 (1)  Notes: The totals for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency include both consultants and contractors as it is not possible to separately identify consultants.  These figures show the position at the end of September 2008 except for the Highways Agency and the Government Car and Despatch Agency where this is the position at November 2008.  The Driving Standards Agency could provide only the information requested at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Consultants

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: Total expenditure by the central Department and its agencies on consultants in each financial year since it was formed in May 2002 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			   million 
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 DfT Central 57.2 58.5 65.2 64.0 53.6 51.0 
			 Highways Agency 157.5 169.7 115.0 2.4 1.7 2.0 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 4.0 3.4 4.8 1.9 18.0 18.4 
			 Driving Standards Agency 4.2 4.0 3.6 1.2 5.1 3.5 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 3.3 3.0 3.4 1.4 3.0 3.7 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 1.2 0.8 1.2 1.0 1.3 1.5 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency (joined DfT from 2005-06) n/a n/a n/a 0.1 0.1 0.1 
			 Total 227.5 239.5 193.3 72.1 82.9 80.3 
		
	
	The Business Units within the Department currently use separate accounting systems which record expenditure differently. The totals include a mixture of committed spend (i.e. orders raised) and actual spend incurred. The Professional Services Forum definition of consultancy has been applied since 2005-06 resulting in more accurate coding of expenditure.
	Expenditure figures from 2005-06 exclude Central Department and Highways Agency spend on technical transport related consultancy. Expenditure by the Highways Agency on engineering consultancy is scored as outsourced procurement of specialist services.
	Expenditure by non-departmental public bodies on external consultancy can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Contracts

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contracts his Department has with external consultants; what the value of these contracts is in the current financial year, including VAT and disbursements; how long each contract lasts; to which of his Department's programmes or projects each contract relates; and what the forecast total expenditure under each contract is.

Geoff Hoon: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Information Officers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many full-time equivalent press officers  (a) work for and  (b) provide assistance to his Department.

Geoff Hoon: The most recently compiled press officer numbers in the central Department and Executive Agencies are set out in the following table. All figures are average or estimated full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed on press officer activities in 2007-08.
	
		
			  Staff FTE  2007-08 Press Officer activities 
			 DfT Central 13.8 
			 DSA 2 
			 DVLA 5 
			 GCDA 0 
			 HA 12.2 
			 MCA 2 
			 VGA 0 
			 VOSA 2 
			 DfT Agencies 23.2 
		
	
	The Department procures the services of the Central Office of Information to provide assistance with regional media but because of the nature of this support work it is not possible to quantify this in full-time equivalents.

Departmental Internet

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost of maintaining his Department's website was in 2007-08; and what forecast has been made of the costs for maintaining websites within his responsibility in 2008-09.

Geoff Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 17 November 2008,  Official Report, column 31W, regarding the maintenance costs for the Departments websites.
	Tables have been placed in the Libraries of the House showing forecast maintenance costs for the Department for Transport websites 2008-09.
	Where annual maintenance costs are not available, this is due to a number of reasons; either the costs are part of a much larger contract and cannot be itemised; or the costs cannot be calculated without incurring disproportionate costs. Costs provided do not include staff costs.

Departmental Land

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for each of the sites owned by his Department which are registered on the Register of Surplus Public Sector Land; what construction projects are planned for each site; and when he expects each site to be returned to use.

Geoff Hoon: Once sites have been declared surplus for operational purposes and placed on the register, there is a 40 working day window for public sector agencies and Departments to identify new uses for this land. If the sites can be used beneficially elsewhere in the public sector they will be sold at market value in accordance with guidance in HM Treasury's guidance and brought back into beneficial use. Ultimately local planning authorities are responsible for preparing regional strategies and local development frameworks and these take account of the suitability of particular sites in their area for the development of housing. Disposing Departments have no locus in the planning decision-making process.

Departmental Manpower

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and at what cost in each year.

Geoff Hoon: Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the number of  (a) special advisers in each pay band. For the most recent information, I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 99-102WS.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Canning Town, (Jim Fitzpatrick) to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 24 April 2008,  Official Report, columns 2212-14W.

Departmental Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08.

Geoff Hoon: Branding activities in the Department for Transport are not carried out by staff or units solely dedicated to this purpose.
	Identifying staff time that may have been spent on brand maintenance would incur disproportionate cost.

Departmental Marketing

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport and Executive Agencies' major areas of publicity and advertising spend were in support of our marketing activities on the THINK! road safety campaign, Act on CO2 campaign, Concessionary Bus Fares campaign, aviation security and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's continuous registration campaign. Marketing expenditure, including publicity and advertising costs, since the 2002-03 fiscal year, when the Department was formed, are outlined in the following table.
	
		
			   
			   Marketing costs 
			  Department for Transport  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 DfT Central 17.6 million 16.4 million 16.2 million 20.4 million 26.5 million 26.7 million 
			 Driving Standards Agency n/a 1.276 million 985,000 782,000 1.150 million 2.174 million 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 9.461 million 13.71 million 10.946 million 9.256 million 9.73 million 10.4 million 
			 Highways Agency 411,000 1.696 million 2.347 million 3.146 million 2.4 million 1.6 million 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 44,000 28,000 45,000 25,000 d/c 57,000 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 1.141 million 1.322 million 1.102 million 1.262 million 1.56 million 1.075 million 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 39,000 43,000 40,000 37,000 22,900 80,500 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency 0 0 0 0 60,000 171,800 
			 n/a = Figures not available d/c = Figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost.  Note: Figure from May 2002 because of accounting changes. 
		
	
	Following departmental reorganisations, total publicity and marketing expenditure figures for prior to 2002-03 fiscal year would involve disproportionate costs.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years.

Geoff Hoon: Two civil servants support the special advisers. Both provide support of a non-political nature in accordance with the code of conduct for special advisers.
	Individual civil servants' salary details are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.

Departmental NDPBs

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the remit is of each non-departmental public body sponsored by his Department; and what budget each has been set for  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Geoff Hoon: The Department publishes details of all its NDPBs in its Annual Report; I therefore refer the hon. Gentleman to chapter 12 of my Department's 2008 Annual Report.
	In regard to the budgets for the Department's NDPBs I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answers given on the 22 October 2008,  Official Report, column 417W, and on 29 October 2008,  Official Report , column 1035W.

Departmental Press Releases

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each year since 1997-98; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: Total number of national press releases issued by Department for Transport 'central' and its executive agencies is as follows. Information prior to 2003 is not held centrally and can be obtained only through disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 ( 1) 2008 
			 DFT (C) 172 156 146 151 174 145 
			 DSA (2)n/a 45 15 19 30 50 
			 DVLA 25 66 21 41 24 11 
			 GCDA (2)n/a (2)n/a (2)n/a 6 2 4 
			 HA 249 173 64 76 84 77 
			 MCA 356 354 461 474 412 376 
			 VCA 0 1 1 2 4 1 
			 VOSA 31 61 37 48 42 48 
			 (1) To 20 November 2008. (2) This information is available only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Public Opinion

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on  (a) focus groups and  (b) opinion polls in each year since 1997-98; how much he estimates will be spent on each category in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The information requested could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Travel

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's departmental travel plan.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport (DfT) travel plan was published on its website on 28 November 2006, and is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/travelplans/
	This DfT-wide plan requires all DfT offices with more than 50 staff to produce their own site-specific travel plans. MCA, DVLA, VCA have already completed and published their plans and the remainder are under development. DVLA's plan is currently undergoing review.
	The DfT travel plan is available in the Libraries of the House. Copies of the other three published plans have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Departmental Written Questions

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Questions for written answer were tabled to his Department in Session  (a) 2002-03,  (b) 2003-04,  (c) 2004-05,  (d) 2005-06,  (e) 2006-07 and  (f) 2007-08 to date; and how many were (i) answered substantively and (ii) not answered on grounds of disproportionate cost.

Geoff Hoon: The figures requested by the hon. Member are contained in the following table:
	
		
			  Parliamentary Session  Number of written questions tabled  Number of questions not answered substantively, either wholly or partially, on the grounds of disproportionate cost 
			 2002-03 4,021 76 
			 2003-04 3,338 65 
			 2004-05 1,339 45 
			 2005-06 6,536 160 
			 2006-07 3,729 111 
			 2007-08 (to 20 November 2008) 4,806 195

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instruct the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to offer a British-made car in its prize draw encouraging use of their online facilities.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency invited all 17 manufacturers who produce cars with CO2 emissions of 120 g/km or less to take part in the incentive scheme. SEAT were the only company to fully respond to the invitation. If DVLA is granted permission to run this scheme for a second year, all manufacturers who meet the criteria will again be invited to bid for the contract.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Data Protection

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many requests the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has received for motorists' information in each of the last 10 years; and how many such requests the DVLA has refused.

Jim Fitzpatrick: DVLA holds two separate registers of information on motorists. The vehicle register contains the particulars of vehicles and their keepers.
	The driver register contains details of individuals, including name address and date of birth, along with details of their entitlement to drive, any driving convictions or endorsements, and any medical conditions affecting their driving ability.
	 Vehicle  I nquiries
	The following table shows the total number of vehicle record requests rejected along with the number of requests made. These figures include requests made by both public and private sector organisations including, local authorities and police, as well as individuals for information on their own vehicles.
	
		
			   Electronic inquiries  Manual enquiries  Rejects( 1) 
			 1998-99 0 2,233,009 n/a 
			 1999-2000 0 2,325,544 n/a 
			 2000-01 6,553,630 2,336,631 n/a 
			 2001-02 7,659,104 2,397,370 n/a 
			 2002-03 11,456,515 2,339,507 n/a 
			 2003-04 16,255,864 2,204,109 43,088 
			 2004-05 15,007,047 2,014,576 43,684 
			 2005-06 15,225,314 1,853,686 30,865 
			 2006-07 15,739,951 1,572,458 48,328 
			 2007-08 18,101,330 1,391,424 46,578 
			 (1) Rejects: DVLA does not hold information on the number of requests rejected prior to the 2003 - 2004 financial year. 
		
	
	 Driver Inquiries
	The following table shows the number or requests made for information held on the driver record for the last 10 years and the number of requests rejected. Statistics from the driver register do not differentiate between manual and electronic requests. They include subject access requests from individuals wanting their own information.
	
		
			   Inquiries  Rejects 
			 1997-98 1,481,263 n/a 
			 1998-99 1,558,557 n/a 
			 1999-2000 1,736,138 n/a 
			 2000-01 1,701,985 n/a 
			 2001-02 1,860,911 n/a 
			 2002-03 1,863,913 n/a 
			 2003-04 1,888,741 n/a 
			 2004-05 1,930,933 7,984 
			 2005-06 1,907,856 9,238 
			 2006-07 1,726,207 11,072 
			 2007-08 1,643,104 6,540 
		
	
	Information on the number of requests rejected is not held for the period before 2004-05.
	It is not possible to provide figures on the release of information by telephone as DVLA does not differentiate between telephone enquiries requesting advice and those requesting information from the record e.g. car hire companies or employers acting with the driver's consent.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Data Protection

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions in each of the last 10 years an employee of the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency has been issued with an  (a) oral and  (b) written warning for inappropriate use of access to motorists' information; and how many of these occasions has resulted in dismissal.

Jim Fitzpatrick: DVLA takes its responsibilities in relation to data security and the Data Protection Act very seriously.
	The information required is only available from 2004 onwards. This is set out as follows.
	
		
			  Calendar year  Dismissals 
			 2004 (1) 
			 2005 6 
			 2006 (1) 
			 2007 (1) 
			 2008 (1) 
			 (1) Number of dismissals was below five and therefore cannot be disclosed. 
		
	
	In all cases where members of staff have made inappropriate use of motorists information DVLA has dismissed the individual concerned.

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what databases containing details of registered drivers and vehicles the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency uses in its registration and enforcement capacities; what the stated purpose of each database is; and what procedures exist to ensure that accurate details are  (a) maintained on and  (b) co-ordinated between the databases.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle Register holds information about vehicles and vehicle keepers for the purposes of licensing and registering vehicles, road safety and law enforcement and to support the Government's environmental policies. The accuracy of the Vehicle record is maintained through regular contact with registered vehicle keepers, including annual or bi-annual transactions for the payment of Vehicle Excise Duty.
	The driver register holds details of drivers, including driving entitlement, endorsements and medical information for the purposes of licensing drivers and road safety. The accuracy of the driver record is maintained through legal obligations placed on licence-holders to inform DVLA of changes of personal details, and supported by notifications from the police, courts and fixed penalty offices.
	The local office casework system is an additional database used to record vehicle excise and registration offences. Information held on this database is used to enforce and prosecute these offences.
	The driver and vehicle intelligence database is a database that holds intelligence on suspected fraudulent activity involving driving licence or vehicle transactions. This information is used to aid the prevention, detection and enforcement of vehicle and driver related offences.
	DVLA takes the accuracy of information held on all its databases seriously in line with data protection requirements.
	It has in place an accuracy programme, involving a wide range of initiatives to build upon and further improve the accuracy of all the information held on its databases.
	This initiative will include the identification of opportunities for sharing and cross checking information between DVLA's databases.

Driving Standards Agency

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the current complement of  (a) managerial staff,  (b) examiners and  (c) other staff at the Driving Standards Agency is.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The current complement of managerial staff, examiners and other staff is shown in the table.
	
		
			   Number 
			 Managerial staff 761 
			  Comprised of:  
			 Administration staff of managerial grade 373 
			 Examiner staff of managerial grade 388 
			   
			 Examiners 1,623 
			 Other staff 381 
			  Comprised of:  
			 Administration staff of non-managerial grade 328 
			 Support staff 53 
			 Total staff employed 2,765 
		
	
	Staff employed in a managerial grade position may not necessarily have line manager responsibility for staff.
	Examiners of managerial grade sometimes conduct driving and riding tests.

Driving Standards Agency

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the basic salary is of the Chief Executive of the Driving Standards Agency; what incentive factors apply which allow bonuses or other increments to be paid; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Driving Standards Agency's published annual accounts for 2007-08 report the chief executive's salary, including performance pay as 105,000-110,000.

Driving Tests

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date it was decided that the Southend-on-Sea driving test centre would close; and who took that decision.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Driving Standards Agency announced a proposal to co-locate Southend-on-Sea driving test centre with the multi-purpose test centre at Basildon on 13 February 2008 seeking views from key stakeholders in keeping with its code of practice by 9 May 2008. 12 weeks were allowed for responses. After careful consideration of these, the Agency's chief executive informed the Minister on 13 August 2008 of her confirmation of this decision.

Driving Tests

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of receipts from the driving test fee, after it has been increased, will be used to fund the change to the organisation of driving test centres.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Driving Standards Agency estimates the expenditure for changing the organisation of driving test centres at 14.5 million. This represents 10.8 per cent. of its estimated practical test fee income from the April 2009 financial year.

First Great Western

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much public money First Great Western Trains has received in the last 12 months.

Paul Clark: Subsidy per passenger kilometre is published by the Office of Rail Regulation for all train operating companies in its National Rail Trends Yearbook, which is available at:
	http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/
	The most recent figures published are for 2007-08.

First Great Western

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the performance of First Great Western Trains against the objectives set for the operation of the Greater Western rail franchise.

Paul Clark: Department for Transport officials meet First Great Western at least every four weeks to review overall progress of the franchise. Departmental officials also meet First Great Western at the milestone reporting sessions contractualised in the Remedial Agreement to review progress in reducing train cancellations against the provisions of that agreement. First Great Western is currently compliant with the cancellations reduction trajectory contained in the Remedial Agreement.

First Great Western

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the renegotiation of the payments applicable under the franchise award to First Great Western in the light of the extra expenditure they  (a) have incurred and  (b) expect to incur.

Paul Clark: It is for First Great Western to bear additional expenditure it decides to incur or which is incurred in remedying breaches of the franchise agreement. The costs of the remedial plan and the associated 29 million package of passenger benefits are wholly for First Great Western to bear.
	The Department for Transport bears net incremental costs associated with changes it decides to implement in the franchise or other net costs which are defined as payable by the Department for Transport under the franchise agreement. In particular, should the Department for Transport decide to fund additional rolling stock for First Great Western services under the high level output specification (HLOS) process, the Department for Transport would bear the incremental net costs associated with the procurement and operation of such additional rolling stock.

Heathrow Airport

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Adding Capacity at Heathrow consultation document, what level of induced demand for air travel he anticipates will be generated by construction of a third runway at Heathrow.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The level of demand for each sequencing option described in the Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport consultation document is given in the Department for Transport's UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts (2007), table 2.13, p. 43. This is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/ukairdemandandco2forecasts/
	The following table reproduces the relevant figures for the three options and the 'maximum use' Base Case used in the consultation document.
	
		
			  Constrained terminal passenger demand forecasts, UK, mppa  (million passengers per annum) 
			  (Nearest 5 million) 
			   2010  2015  2020  2025  2030 
			 Base Case 270 320 375 415 445 
			   
			 Option 1 270 320 375 430 480 
			 Option 2 270 320 375 430 480 
			 Option 3 270 325 375 430 480

Heathrow Airport

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to respond to the letter sent to him dated 23 October from solicitors Harrison Grant acting on behalf of the 2M group, on pollution levels around Heathrow.

Jim Fitzpatrick: A response was sent on the 14 November by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs on behalf of both Departments.

Heathrow Airport: Carbon Emissions

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the likely emissions of carbon dioxide which would arise from use of the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport in terms of  (a) the runway in isolation and  (b) the total additional air transport movements in the UK, net of any air traffic switching to Heathrow from other airports for (i) 2020, (ii) 2030, (iii) 2040, (iv) 2050, (v) 2060, (vi) 2070 and (vii) 2080.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts report (2007), annex G, shows carbon dioxide emissions both at Heathrow and nationally, with and without additional capacity at Heathrow airport, for selected years. These results are extended and reported in the following table.
	
		
			  Additional aviation CO 2  emissions from a third runway at Heathrow airport, MtCO 2 
			   Heathrow  UK 
			 2020 1.0 0.2 
			 2030 8.2 4.7 
			 2040 7.8 4.1 
			 2050 7.4 4.0 
			 2060 7.1 2.8 
			 2070 6.8 2.0 
			 2080 6.5 1.9 
		
	
	The Government are strongly committed to achieving reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and aims to do so in the most effective way. This is why we have led the debate within Europe to include all flights arriving at and departing from EU airports in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme from 2012 onwards. Any growth in aircraft emissions above the ETS cap will only be possible by the sector paying for commensurate carbon savings made elsewhere in the economy.

Heathrow Airport: Railway Network

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his support for Crossrail is conditional on a third runway being constructed at Heathrow.

Paul Clark: There is no connection between the Government's firm commitment to Crossrailas demonstrated by the funding package announced in October 2007 and the securing of Royal Assent to the Crossrail Billand any decision about expansion of Heathrow.

Hotels

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on hotel bills in 2007-08.

Geoff Hoon: The figures for hotel accommodation expenditure by Department for Transport (central) and six of its agencies are contained in the following table.
	
		
			   Hotel accommodation expenditure () 
			 DfT(c) 597,408 
			 Highways Agency 815,045 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 1,030,000 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 131,960 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 716,601.54 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 468,000 
			 Driving Standards Agency 976,000 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency  
		
	
	GCDA does not record accommodation expenses separately from other travel costs and could provide the information only at disproportionate cost.
	The figures for HA comprise of the cost of accommodation booked through their central booking contract. Any additional costs of accommodation booked direct by travellers could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The DSA costs were principally for conferences and meetings. The amount spent on hotels through subsistence is estimated.
	The costs for VOSA and MCA are partly recovered from fees arising from performing statutory duties.

Motor Vehicles: Accidents

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) accidents,  (b) injuries and  (c) deaths have been caused by foreign drivers in the UK in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested is not available.

Motor Vehicles: Licensing

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide incentives for people wishing to register their vehicle for statutory off-road notification status to do so at post offices.

Jim Fitzpatrick: There are no plans to introduce incentives for people to make a Statutory off Road Notification for their vehicle at the Post Office.

Motor Vehicles: Safety

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the children killed or seriously injured in cars in  (a) 2004,  (b) 2005,  (c) 2006 and  (d) 2007 were wearing (i) no type of restraint, (ii) an adult seat belt and (iii) an appropriate restraint.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Information on whether restraints were worn or not in reported personal injury road accidents is not collected by the Department.

Motor Vehicles: Safety

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of levels of parental awareness of legislation on child car seats; what steps he is taking to ensure that parents are aware of the requirements of legislation on child car seats; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what research his Department has commissioned on the behaviour of parents in relation to the appropriate restraint of their children in cars.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Data from October 2006 following a departmental publicity campaign showed that awareness of the legal requirements was 92 per cent. The requirements are summarised on the THINK website at www.dft.gov.uk/think and in leaflets distributed by the Department, around 700,000 of which are ordered annually. There is no specific child car seat campaign running at the moment but the topic is covered in the current THINK parents' campaign.
	There is no research specifically on the behaviour of parents in relation to the use of the appropriate child restraint. However, the regular surveys for the Department to observe adult seat belt wearing also include the use of child restraints, as far as is possible from roadside observation points. Results are publishedthe latest survey in October 2007 (TRL leaflet 2102) is available on-line at:
	www.trl.co.uk/store/report_list.asp?pid=211.
	The following table summarises the observations.
	
		
			  GB percentage child restraint v. seat belt wearing: observational survey 
			   Front seat passengers  Rear seat passengers 
			   1 to 4 years  5 to 9 years  1 to 4 years  5 to 9 years 
			   Child seat/booster  Seat belt  Child seat/booster  Seat belt  Child seat/booster  Seat belt  Child seat/booster  Seat belt 
			  Six month period ending : 
			 April 2005 57 34 8 89 82 14 18 73 
			 October 2005 73 26 5 92 85 12 13 77 
			 April 2006 67 29 8 91 88 9 21 71 
			 October 2006 80 17 29 68 92 5 47 46 
			  
			  Annually at : 
			 October 2007 85 12 28 69 93 5 39 55

Network Rail: Finance

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the proposed reduction in funding to Network Rail in respect of its engineering possessions strategy, advocated by the Office of Rail Regulation, and his policy of driving Network Rail towards a 24 hour, seven days a week service.

Paul Clark: holding answer 13 November 2008
	 We have made no alterations to the levels of funding committed for the railways in the 2007 White Paper Delivering Sustainable Railway.
	As part of the Periodic Review 2008 process, Network Rail effectively 'bid' for a certain amount of funding over and above that which was committed in the White Paper. On 30 October this year, the independent Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) published its Determination of Network Rail's outputs and funding for 2009-14, concluding that the funding committed by the Government was sufficient to allow Network Rail to deliver the outputs we have specified.
	The Office of Rail Regulation has set Network Rail targets to reduce the disruption to passengers from planned engineering works and to ensure that the level of disruption experienced by freight operators does not increase.
	In addition, the Office or Rail Regulation has provided Network Rail with funding for 160 million of capital expenditure and 60 million of additional maintenance and renewal costs in Control Period 4 (2009-14) to help the company meet these targets. It has explained in its determination why it believes the amount Network Rail requested was overstated.

Newport to London Railway Line

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of commuter train services between Newport and London.

Paul Clark: Officials meet First Great Western at least every four weeks to review overall progress of the franchise.
	Train services from Newport are included in the Department for Transport's assessment of possible additional rolling stock for First Great Western under the Department's High Level Output Specification programme.

Official Visits

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether he has visited  (a) Sipson and  (b) Harmondsworth on official business since his appointment as Secretary of State for Transport; and whether he intends to visit (i) Sipson and (ii) Harmondsworth with reference to his Department's policy on Heathrow Airport;
	(2)  how many visits he has made to the London Borough of  (a) Hillingdon,  (b) Hounslow,  (c) Richmond and  (d) Wandsworth on official business since his appointment.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Secretary of State for Transport has made one visit to the London borough of Hillingdon which included Sipson and Harmondsworth and one visit to Wandsworth.

Oil: Prices

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates for the price of oil he has used in the past three years when considering wider policy issues.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport uses oil price projections from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), which will in future be published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
	These projections can be found at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energv/environment/projections/recent/paqe26391.html.

Oil: Prices

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the research underpinning his assumptions on future oil prices contained in the 2003 Aviation White Paper.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The assumptions concerning future oil prices used to estimate passenger demand for the 2003 Air Transport White Paper are set out in the Air Traffic Forecasts for the United Kingdom 2000 document published by the then Department for the Environment, Transport and Regions, p. 30. This is available at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/atf/airtrafficforecastsfortheuni281
	The then DTI's Energy Projections for the UK, Working Paper, March 2000 document shows the Government's oil price assumptions at the time.
	Copies of both these documents are held in the Library of the House.

Operation V79

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether there have been any national programmes aimed at checking compliance with driver and vehicle requirements since Operation V79 in 2006; and what plans he has to initiate future such programmes.

Jim Fitzpatrick: In March the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) carried out the national drivers and vehicles compliance check (Operation V79) for 2008. The report of the 2008 compliance check, which shows significantly improved levels of compliance, was published on 10 November and is available on the Department for Transport website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/roadspolicingoperationv79/roadspolicingoperationv7908.pdf
	Operation V79 is normally carried out biennially.

Racial Harassment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints of racial abuse relating to staff for which his Department is responsible have been  (a) investigated and  (b) upheld in the last 12 months.

Geoff Hoon: During the last 12 months (for the period August 2007 to July 2008) the Department for Transport has received fewer than five official complaints of racial abuse. Therefore the details are withheld on grounds of confidentiality.
	The standard of behaviour the Department expects of its staff, and how to deal with inappropriate behaviour, are set out in the staff handbook which is available to all staff.

Railways: Finance

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of funding methods for new trains.

Paul Clark: The financing solutions for new trains are evaluated on a case by case basis, based on value for money and appropriate transfer of risk.

Railways: Finance

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what factors he took into account before deciding to advise local authorities seeking Government funding for major transport schemes that local contributions of  (a) 25 per cent. for new light rail schemes and  (b) 10 per cent. for new non-light rail schemes are required;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the requirement for a 25 per cent. local funding contribution for new light rail schemes on the number of future proposals for new light rail schemes.

Paul Clark: Since the publication of the Transport 10 Year Plan of 2000, the Department for Transport (DFT) has set a requirement for a 25 per cent. contribution from promoters towards the costs of light rail projects. This requirement reflects the cost and complexity of light rail projects and ensures that the promoter is significantly committed to delivering a project of this scale.
	We have no reason to believe that this requirement has led to promoters declining to submit proposals for light rail projects. The Department has received requests for funding from eight separate scheme promoters under these arrangements.
	In 2006 the Department introduced a policy of requiring a minimum 10 per cent. local contribution to all major schemes, as part of a range of measures designed to increase the incentive upon local authorities to promote high quality schemes and to deliver them to time and budget.
	The requirement for a local contribution, by limiting the DFT contribution, also ensures that more transport projects can be progressed via the Regional Funding Allocation process.

Road Traffic

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of road congestion levels in  (a) Leeds,  (b) North Yorkshire,  (c) Milton Keynes,  (d) Buckinghamshire,  (e) South West London,  (f) Suffolk and  (g) Essex.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department monitors congestion, in the form of average person journey times per mile, on key routes during the morning peak (excluding weekends and school holidays) in the 10 largest urban areas in England. The figures for London and West Yorkshire are given in the table following.
	
		
			  Person journey times and travel, London and West Yorkshire 
			   Person journey time (minutes per mile)  Person miles 
			   Baseline( 1)  2006-07  Percentage change since baseline  Percentage change since baseline 
			 London 3.65 3.52 -3.5 -2.0 
			 West Yorkshire 3.83 3.91 2.2 -0.9 
			 (1)( )The baseline is a combination of 2004-05 and 2005-06 data. Note that dates shown are academic years (September to August) 
		
	
	Disaggregated figures for south-west London and Leeds are not available. Congestion is not currently monitored centrally in other local authorities, However, the Department's base congestion data are supplied to local authorities, to help them make their own assessments of local congestion. Similarly, congestion estimates for the Strategic Road Network in England are published by the Department, but are not available at a local level.

Road Traffic Offences: Fixed Penalties

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to be in a position to introduce the graduated fixed penalty and deposit scheme.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Implementation of the graduated fixed penalty and deposit scheme is a key priority for the Department and we are working hard to ensure that the provisions are brought into force as soon as practicableand this is likely to be by spring 2009.

Roads

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Highways Agency Major Schemes projects are in  (a) Options and  (b) Development stages in the Highways Agency; and what budget is allocated to each of them in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10.

Paul Clark: The following lists give the Highways Agency major schemes in Development and Options phases that had budgets set for the current financial year, 2008-09. The total control budget for 2008-09 set for schemes in Development was 117.3 million and for schemes in Options was 24.4 million.
	 Table 1Schemes in Development
	A1 Dishforth to Barton
	A11 Fiveways to Thetford
	A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton
	A21 Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst Improvement
	A21 Tonbridge Bypass to Pembury Dualling
	A23 Handcross to Warninglid Widening
	A421 Bedford to M1 Junction 13
	A45 A46 Tollbar End Imp
	A453 Widening, M1 J24 to A52 Nottingham
	A46 Newark Widmerpool Improvements
	A47 Blofield to North Burlingham
	A5 to M1 Link (Dunstable Northern Bypass)
	A57/A628 Mottram to Tintwhistle Bypass
	M1 J10 to J13 Widening(1)
	M25 J16 to J23 Widening
	M25 J23 to J27 Widening(1)
	M25 J27 to J30 Widening
	M25 J5 to J6/7 Widening(1)
	(1)( )Scheme forming part of the Managed Motorway Feasibility Study.
	 Note
	A421 Bedford to Ml Junction 13 moved into the Construction Phase in October 2008.
	 Table 2Schemes in Options
	A1 Western Bypass Improvement (TAMMS)
	A1/A19/A1068 Seaton Burn Junction Improvement
	A120 Braintree to Marks Tey
	A14 Kettering Southern Bypass Widening
	A160/A180 Improvements, Immingham
	A19/A1058 Coast Road Junction
	A19/A184 Testos GSJ
	A19/A189 Moor Farm Junction
	A2 Bean Junction, Dartford
	A21 Baldslow Link
	A3 (A27 to A31 Guildford)
	A38 Derby Junctions
	A5036 Access to Port of Liverpool
	A556 Improvement Study (M6 J19 to M56 J7)
	A63 Castle Street Improvement
	Chichester Area and A27 Transport
	M1 J19 Improvement
	M1 J21 to J30 Widening Phase 2(1)
	M1 J31 to J32 Northbound Collector Distributor
	M1 J32to34SP4L(1)
	M1 J39 to J42 Widening(1)
	M20 Junction 10A
	M20 Junctions 3 to 5 improvements
	M40 Junction 9 Improvements
	M6J11AtoJ19WidePh1(1)
	M60 JETTS(1)
	M62 J25 to J28 Improvement(1)
	(1)( )Scheme forming part of the Managed Motorway Feasibility Study.
	In July 2008 nine of these schemes were identified for inclusion in the Managed Motorway feasibility study. These schemes, together with a number of new projects, were allocated a budget of 8 million for the study work, to be funded out of the existing Highways Agency budget.
	Throughout the course of the year some new schemes have been introduced into the Options phase and others have moved between phases.
	The major schemes programme for 2009-10, and associated scheme budgets will be decided in the new year.

Roads: Accidents

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) men and  (b) women aged between 17 and 21 years were killed in a road traffic accident in each local authority area in England in the last 10 years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Roads: Closures

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to reduce the levy local authorities are able to charge community groups for events which they hold which require road closures.

Paul Clark: Where a traffic authority closes a road temporarily for a special event, it has the freedom to choose whether or not it recovers its costs from the person promoting the event. If an authority opts to recover costs, the amount of the charge is also at the authority's discretion provided that, when deciding the charge, the authority has regard to the cost of anything that needs to be done in connection with the closure. We consider such decisions should continue to be made at that local level.

Roads: Closures

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what checks are put in place to ensure that objections to stopping up orders are neither fictitious nor vexatious.

Paul Clark: It is a statutory requirement that the Secretary of State shall publish a notice of his intention to make an order and following which there is a period of 28 days allowed for any person to object to the making of the Order (Town and Country Planning Act 1990 S252 (1)(c) refers).
	The Secretary of State must consider all objections which relate to the order matter of stopping up of the highways concerned and the provision of any new highway under the order. No checks are made about the fictitious nature of objectors, or those which might be anonymously made, although objections which are made on grounds not related to the order matter might be disregarded by the Secretary of State.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the Highways Agency's  (a) administration costs and  (b) staff are used on major improvements.

Paul Clark: The Highways Agency's staff costs associated with delivering major improvements are capitalised and as such accounted for as programme capital expenditure in line with HMT guidance. The amount of staff capitalised against major projects in the last financial year (2007-08) was 14.578 million which represents 11 per cent. of the Highways Agency's total staff costs.
	It is not possible specifically to attribute other administrative costs (for example office accommodation) to major improvements, however as these costs tend to track staff costs it would be reasonable to assume the same percentage as above.
	10 per cent. of average full-time equivalent staff employed were engaged on delivering major improvements.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to include developer works within the scope of the Road Traffic Acts.

Paul Clark: Developers carrying out work on the public highway are already subject to a range of legal requirements. They can work on the highways only if they have a licence or permission from the local authority in accordance with the Highways Act 1980. Utility companies providing services to a new development do so as in accordance with the requirements of Part 3 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA).

Roads: Urban Areas

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the recent statement by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee on shared surface schemes; and if he will call on local authorities to stop introducing such schemes until his Department has completed its proposed research in this area.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport is aware of and appreciate the concerns of some disabled people regarding shared surfaces, but there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that such schemes are inherently less safe than conventionally kerbed environments. There is a considerable amount of anecdotal evidence that shared space (which includes shared surfaces) is a valuable technique for improving the public realm.
	The Department intends to make evidence-based policy in this area. Our intention is to make shared space work for all road users, including disabled people. It is for this reason that the Department is conducting a comprehensive two-year research project into shared space aimed at informing future policy and guidance.

Rolling Stock

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department expects the number of train carriages announced in the high level output specification to be  (a) tendered,  (b) ordered and  (c) in service.

Paul Clark: Assuming that discussions with the various train operating companies progress to successful conclusions, the Department for Transport would currently expect:
	 (a) the tendering process for all new carriages to have begun by the end of 2009;
	 (b) the ordering for all new carriages to have taken place by the end of 2011; and
	 (c) that all new carriages would be in service by March 2014.

Rolling Stock

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the extra train carriages announced as part of the intercity express programme to be  (a) tendered,  (b) ordered and  (c) in service.

Paul Clark: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) Invitations to Tender were issued in November 2007, with bids returned in June 2008.
	 (b) It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded during 2009 for the first tranche of IEP routes and for the later tranches of routes by 2012.
	 (c) Subject to point (b) above, it is anticipated that the first IEP pre-series trains will begin operation in November 2013 with full deployment (across all optional routes) completed by October 2018.

Rolling Stock

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether the capital cost of train carriages announced in the  (a) high level output specification and  (b) intercity express programme will be funded from the public purse;
	(2)  whether the capital cost of train carriages announced in the high level output specification and the intercity express programme will be funded through the assumption of contingent liability.

Paul Clark: Discussions on the provision of additional carriages required to meet the high level output specification are currently being held with train operators. Contractual arrangements for the provision of all carriages have not been finalised.
	Capital costs of the Intercity Express Programme are expected to be met by private sector financiers.
	Contingent liabilities may sometimes arise as a result of undertakings made in relation to new stock, but no such liabilities have currently been assumed in relation to these carriages.

Rolling Stock

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the 1,300 new carriages referred to in the 2007 Rail White Paper have been  (a) ordered and  (b) delivered; and of these, how many have been allocated to specific lines.

Paul Clark: A total of 423 new train carriages have so far been ordered to meet the requirements of the high level output specification. The breakdown of these carriages between franchises is as follows:
	92 x Class 377 Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) carriages for Southern/First Capital Connect;
	148 x Class 350 EMU carriages for London Midland;
	106 x Class 390 EMU carriages for West Coast;
	69 x Class 172 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) carriages for London Midland; and
	8 x Class 172 DMU carriages for Chiltern.
	Deliveries of these new carriages are yet to commence apart from the London Midland Class 350 carriages, 40 of which are planned to be in service in December 2008.

Rolling Stock

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 10 September 2008,  Official Report, column 2007W, on rolling stock, which train operating companies  (a) have and  (b) have not ordered their share of the 1,300 new carriages referred to in the Rail White Paper; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure train operating companies procure these extra trains quickly and efficiently.

Paul Clark: The following train operating companies have already ordered new carriages:
	Southern/First Capital Connect92 carriages;
	London Midland217 carriages; and
	Chilterneight carriages.
	In addition, the Department for Transport has ordered 106 carriages for use on the West Coast franchise.
	The Department is currently actively engaged with a number of train operating companies, with the aim of reaching agreement that additional rolling stock is procured quickly and efficiently for the benefit of passengers.

Rolling Stock

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many carriages announced in the  (a) high level output statement and  (b) intercity express programme his Department expects to (i) have been ordered and (ii) be in service by (A) 2010 and (B) 2012.

Paul Clark: holding answer 20 November 2008
	As regards to the high level output specification, 423 new carriages have already been ordered. Assuming that discussions with the various train operating companies progress to successful conclusions, the Department would currently expect that all new carriages would be ordered by 2012. However, it is not possible to accurately predict how many of these would have been ordered by 2010.
	All of the 423 new carriages that have already been ordered are currently planned to be in service by the end of 2010. It is not possible to accurately predict how many of the remaining new carriages will be in service before the end of 2012 as this depends on the outcome of discussions between the Department and train operating companies and also the progress of the various rolling stock procurement, manufacturing and delivery processes.
	In terms of the Intercity Express Programme, we expect to award a contract for the first tranche of IEP routes during 2009 and for the later tranches of routes by 2012. The first inter-city express pre-series trains will begin operation in 2013.

Rolling Stock

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the train carriages referred to in the high level output statement have been  (a) tendered for and  (b) ordered.

Paul Clark: holding answer 20 November 2008
	A total of 423 train carriages have been ordered to meet the requirements of the high level output specification. The tendering process for a further 120 carriages is in progress, with tendering for the remaining carriages expected to begin in the next few months.

Speed Limits: Cameras

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of public carriageways are currently being monitored by speed cameras.

Jim Fitzpatrick: This information is not held by the Department for Transport. Enforcement is a matter for individual road safety partnerships. They have flexibility to enforce in response to community concerns or at sites where there are speeding problems and a high risk that casualties will occur.

Tolls

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many of the eight road pricing demonstration schemes will include overlapping charge classes within one charge area as outlined in the Demonstration Scheme Template Guidance;
	(2)  how many of the eight road pricing demonstration schemes will include difference charges for  (a) vehicle class,  (b) user class and  (c) time class as outlined in the Demonstration Scheme Template Guidance; and how these classes have been defined for each scheme;
	(3)  how many bids for road pricing demonstration projects proposed to track motorists to within five seconds accuracy as outlined in the Demonstration Scheme Template Guidance;
	(4)  how many of the eight demonstration schemes proposed to track motorists within five seconds accuracy have been outlined in the Demonstration Scheme Template Guidance;
	(5)  during what times of day each of the eight road pricing demonstration projects proposes to operate charges.

Paul Clark: The Demonstrations Project is now getting under way with two schemes, in each of which the same four contractors will run a demonstration. The Demonstration Scheme Template Guidance, published as part of the ITT in March 2008, set out the full range of capabilities that might need to be explored, but the actual requirements are specified in the first service contracts now agreed with the four appointed Road User Service Providers.
	Neither of the two schemes includes overlapping charge classes within one charge area.
	The following table defines the time classes for the two schemes that will be demonstrated by the contractors in the first service contract. The two schemes defined for the Demonstrations Project's first service contract have the same vehicle, user and time class parameters.
	Time classes are as follows:
	
		
			  Time class  Description  Time period  Days valid  Time class factor 
			 1 Off peak period 00:00:00-06:59:59 Weekdays 0.5 
			 2 Peak period 07:00:00-09:29:59 Weekdays 2.0 
			 3 Standard period 09:30:00-16:29:59 Weekdays 1.0 
			 4 Peak period 16:30:00-18:59:59 Weekdays 2.0 
			 5 Off peak period 19:00:00-23:59:59 Weekdays 0.5 
			 6 All day 00:00:00-23.59:59 Weekends and bank holidays 0.5 
		
	
	Vehicle classes are as follows:
	
		
			  Demonstrations vehicle class  Vehicle description  Vehicle class factor 
			 VC1 Small passenger vehicles 1.0 
			 VC2 Light goods vehicles 1.5 
			 VC3 Heavy goods vehicles (over 12t) 3.0 
		
	
	There is only one user class.
	The factors to be applied are purely for the purposes of the demonstrations.
	The compliance standard outlined in the Demonstration Scheme Template Guidance is intended to reflect the level of performance that a future 'scheme owner' might require in order to have trust in the service. To ensure any charging scheme is accurate and fair it is important that it can identify that a user has entered or exited a charging area at a precise time. The purpose of the timing capability (now revised to 10 seconds) is to ensure that the time class element within the demonstration can be fairly and accurately applied; the demonstration will therefore seek to establish if the contractors' solutions can meet this target standard.

Tolls

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the evidential basis is for his Department's decision to select  (a) Leeds,  (b) North Yorkshire,  (c) Milton Keynes,  (d) Buckinghamshire,  (e) South West London,  (f) Suffolk and  (g) Essex areas for road pricing demonstration schemes.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport did not select the areas to be used for the demonstrations; they are being chosen by our contractors based on the likely whereabouts of their volunteer road users.

Tolls

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated cost is of each road pricing demonstration project; and what proportion of this cost is to be paid by his Department in each case.

Paul Clark: The estimated cost to the Department for Transport of the two schemes in the first Road User Service Provider demonstration, covering all four contractors, is 10.0 million. The cost of any subsequent demonstrations would only become clear once their scope has been defined.

Tolls

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated costs are of having the systems proposed in the Road Pricing Demonstration Project externally checked; and what proportion of this cost will be paid for by his Department.

Paul Clark: The procurement process for the independent contractor to undertake third party assurance of the demonstrations has not yet started. It is therefore too early to give an estimate as to the likely cost, which would be met in full by the Department for Transport.

Tolls

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road pricing demonstration projects have stipulated  (a) a minimum,  (b) a maximum and  (c) an average charge; and what each of these charges are.

Paul Clark: The scheme rules for the first two schemes in the Demonstrations Project make no stipulation as to a minimum, maximum, or average charge.

Tolls

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the effects of road pricing on different sections of society.

Paul Clark: The impact of any scheme would depend upon its detailed design. The Feasibility Study of Road Pricing in the UK published in July 2004 included a preliminary examination of the issues involved. In June 2007 the Department for Transport published an evidence assessment of the Social and Distributional Impacts of Road Pricing, picking up such evidence as is available from schemes around the world.
	Transport for London publishes an annual impact assessment of the London Congestion Charge.

Tolls

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce the successful bidders for the road pricing demonstration projects.

Paul Clark: On 15 September 2008 the Government confirmed the names of the companies who will run the Demonstrations Project on road pricing technology. Eight bids were received in response to the Invitation To Tender for the Road User Service Providers Framework, of which four were successful. They were Intelligent Mechatronic Systems (UK), Sanef Tolling Limited, T-Systems Ltd and Trafficmaster plc.
	Each of these contractors has now been awarded a first service contract under this framework.
	A further three companiesKapsch TrafficCom Limited, Q-Free ASA and Sercohave been appointed to a separate framework for Compliance Contractors. They will explore how to develop the regime needed in order for both road users and the operators of a scheme to be confident that all the hypothetical charges are being correctly and fairly calculated.

Tolls

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2008,  Official Report, columns 2248-9W, on roads: tolls, whether any of the road pricing demonstrations will not use satellite technology.

Paul Clark: All four solutions to be demonstrated by our contractors will use satellite technology.

Trains: ICT

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage train operating companies to make real time information relating to connecting train services available on trains; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport is working with the industry to ensure consistent standards of passenger information. National Rail Inquiries have a lead role in providing comprehensive information including real-time train data on their website and direct to mobile phones.
	We recognise the importance of the end-to-end journey and the need to have fast, accurate and helpful information before and during a journey. An industry-led working group set up at the Government's instigation has been meeting since July to take forward this initiative and to ensure straightforward and effective interchange.
	A 1.5 billion project, due for completion in 2012, will improve rail driver to controller communications. Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM-R) will improve contact between drivers, signallers and control centres giving precise information of a train's location. This will allow passengers to receive more timely and accurate real-time information to assist with journey planning both prior to travel and on the train.

Transport: Schools

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how much each local authority has received as part of the Walking to School initiative in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Walking to School initiative; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how much he expects his Department to spend on Walking to School initiatives in each of the next five years.

Paul Clark: The first year for which Walking to School Initiatives Grant was payable was 2007-08 and each local authority received the amounts set out in the Walking to School Initiatives Grant Determination 2007: No. 31/590 and Walking to School Initiatives No. 2 Grant Determination 2007: No 31/992, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House. Local authorities did not receive any funding between 2001 and 2007-08.
	We have not yet carried out a full evaluation of the Walking to School Initiatives Grant scheme but 72 per cent. of the schools awarded funding for 2007-08 have set up a 'walking bus' or alternative walking initiative and will continue to receive funding in 2008-09 and 2009-10.
	We expect to spend 1.78 million on Walking to School Initiatives Grant funding in 2008-09 and up to 1.78 million in 2009-10, in respect of the schools that continue to qualify. Other than this, we have not yet decided what additional funding will be spent on walking to school initiatives in each of the next five years.

Transport: West Yorkshire

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what transport information projects in West Yorkshire have been undertaken under funding schemes sponsored by his Department in each year since its creation.

Paul Clark: Capital investment in local transport information projects is largely supported through the integrated transport block, which the Department for Transport allocates to support local transport plans. The funding is not ring-fenced to specific types of project, and the Department no longer monitors detailed implementation of information projects which are the responsibility of local authorities.
	West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority have nevertheless reported the following examples of travel information schemes funded over the 2006-08 period:
	Real-time passenger information text messaging;
	3.3 million funding for Disability Discrimination Act compliant rail passenger information screens;
	A website for Leeds cyclists providing information, maps and an interactive discussion forum;
	A Leeds travel information website providing information ranging from details of road works to CCTV images;
	In Wakefield development is under way of a travel information website with details of the Street Works Register, which will include highway authority works, events, road closures, skips etc. plus Highway Agency information on the motorway network.
	West Yorkshire also benefits from a number of centrally funded travel information projects, such as Transport Direct, which went live in 2004.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Tim Farron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what research has been conducted by his Department on the comparative pricing of alcoholic drinks in supermarkets and licensed premises.

Gareth Thomas: None. The prices an enterprise charges for its products is a commercial matter for the enterprise concerned. Enterprises such as restaurants, pubs and clubs selling alcohol for consumption on their premises are likely to have different cost bases and business models to off licences, shops and supermarkets that sell alcohol for home consumption. Such differences are likely to be reflected in the prices charged to customers.

Competition: Food Supply

Andrew George: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Competition Commission's proposed remedies set out in Chapter 11 of its report into the grocery sector.

Gareth Thomas: There have been no such meetings. The Competition Commission recommended that DEFRA and BERR should consider the introduction of appropriate measures, including the extension of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) and the role of the ombudsman or the introduction of a similar, complementary code and arrangements to cover the intermediaries and primary producers. The Government response to chapter 11 was clear in that they would want to see how any change impacts on the operation of the supply chain before considering whether any further action might be necessary.

Corruption

Michael Ancram: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what contribution his Department is making to cross-departmental anti-corruption initiatives.

Gareth Thomas: The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform provide the Secretariat to Anti-Corruption Champion, Jack Straw. The Secretariat co-ordinate cross-departmental anti-corruption work and provide the UK delegation to the OECD Bribery Working Group.
	BERR provides funding support for the City of London Police's Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit. The Department is also responsible for Global Compact in the UK and has lead responsibility for the UK National Contact Point which implements and promotes the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
	BERR also have responsibility for raising business awareness and training of Government officials here and abroad. UKTI Defence and Security Organisation continues to encourage the adoption of Common Industry Standards by defence manufacturers and aerospace companies.

Departmental Catering

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether food and drink on sale to staff of  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds.

Patrick McFadden: This Departments catering contract is let on a commercial basis. The kitchen area is provided at no charge under the terms of the contract.
	I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service and Companies House and they will respond to the hon. Member directly.

Departmental Land

Sarah Teather: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much surplus land  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies own; and what the (i) area and (ii) estimated monetary value of each site is.

Patrick McFadden: No surplus land is owned by BERR.
	I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service and Companies House and they will respond to the hon. Member directly.

Departmental Official Visits

David Simpson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much was spent on overnight accommodation by his Department's civil servants in the last 12 months.

Patrick McFadden: 1,142,183 was spent on overnight accommodation by civil servants within this Department's areas of responsibilities in the last 12 months (October 2007-September 2008). This includes both UK and overseas accommodation.
	These data are obtained from the Department's hotel booking agent and its travel agent. The figures will not include any accommodation bookings made outside of these arrangements as this information is not centrally captured.

Departmental Procurement

Mark Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what proportion of invoices for goods and services procured from small- and medium-sized businesses were paid within 30 days of receipt by  (a) his Department and  (b) the agencies for which his Department is responsible in 2007-08; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: BERR's payment performance for 2007-08 is reported in the Department's Annual Report and Resource Accounts:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file40578.pdf
	(May 2008). Our agencies have their own finance systems and BERR therefore does not have information on their performance.
	BERR does not currently publish information about size of suppliers as this does not fully reflect the number and size of businesses engaged in supplying to Government. We do not discriminate by size of business because many SMEs can be found within larger supply chains.
	My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced during Prime Minister's questions on 8 October 2008 Government are moving to make payment of invoices as soon as possible and within 10 days. In 2007-08 BERR (excluding its agencies, who report separately) paid 58 per cent. of invoices (by volume) within 10 days and the Department is working to improve this as soon as possible. We also currently encourage our leading suppliers to pass on our credit terms and will be working with them to reduce payment times along the entire supply chain.

Departmental Security

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many security passes have been reported  (a) lost and  (b) stolen by staff in (i) his Department and (ii) agencies sponsored by his Department in each year since 2001.

Patrick McFadden: The number of lost BERR identity passes and those of its predecessor each year since 2001 are set out in the following table. There is nothing on a pass which indicates which buildings or organisations it gives access to.
	Specific guidance on safeguarding passes is issued to the individual pass holder with each pass. Lost passes are often found and returned to the Department via an anonymous PO Box number, through an arrangement we have with the Royal Mail.
	Lost passes are recorded as a breach of security against the pass holder.
	I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service and Companies House agencies and we will place copies of their letters in the Libraries of the House.
	
		
			  March to February  Passeslost and stolen 
			 2001 98 
			 2002 80 
			 2003 125 
			 2004 120 
			 2005 101 
			 2006 67 
			 2007 32 
			 2008 to date 22

Fuel Poverty

Eric Pickles: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what criteria will be used to select fuel-poor areas under the Home Energy Saving Programme; and what the average size of such areas will be.

Joan Ruddock: I have been asked to reply.
	The policy detail of the Community Energy Savings Programme is currently under discussion with stakeholders. The Government will undertake a formal consultation and will seek views on these issues. It would therefore be inappropriate to pre-empt the outcome of this consultation.

Grocery Trade

Andrew George: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what meetings he has had since 1 May 2008 at which the Competition Commission market investigation into the supply of groceries in the UK was discussed.

Gareth Thomas: BERR Ministers and officials frequently have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery on a range of issues. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Home Energy Saving Programme

Eric Pickles: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what arrangements are in place to fund measures to be introduced under the Home Energy Saving Programme.

Joan Ruddock: I have been asked to reply.
	The increase to the Carbon Emission Reduction Target and the Community Energy Saving Programme will be funded by a proposed obligation on energy suppliers and a new obligation on electricity generators.
	Further investment in Warm Front and the increase in cold weather payments are being funded by an additional 90 million of Government expenditure.

Non-domestic Rates: Empty Property

Eric Pickles: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations his Department has received from urban regeneration companies on the effect of changes in empty property business rates.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has received one written representation, dated 10 October, from the Urban Regeneration Companies on the impact of empty property rates.

Performance Appraisal

David Simpson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many staff in his Department did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade in their annual report in the latest reporting year for which figures are available.

Patrick McFadden: For the reporting year 2007-08, the latest year for which figures are available, two staff in the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade in their annual report.

Post Offices

Andrew George: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what procedures his Department has put in place to enable people in a local community to apply for the opening of a new post office.

Patrick McFadden: The Government have encouraged Post Office Ltd. to talk to any local authority or community organisation who may wish to fund a local operator to provide Post Office services. Post Office Ltd. has put in place a process for responding to any serious expressions of interest in maintaining post office service provision received.

Public Houses: Closures

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of trends in the rate of closure of public houses; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: BERR does not collate this information.

Regional Development Agencies: Finance

Mark Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much was spent on  (a) training and conferences,  (b) consultancy fees,  (c) general expenses and  (d) publications by (i) the North West Regional Development Agency, (ii) One North East, (iii) Yorkshire Forward, (iv) Advantage West Midlands, (v) the East Midlands Development Agency, (vi) the East of England Development Agency, (vii) the South West of England Development Agency, (viii) the South East of England Development Agency and (ix) the London Development Agency in each financial year since their creation; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: The RDAs retain records of the last six years. To provide records before this period will incur disproportionate costs. The following tables show RDA figures for 2002-03 to 2007-08.
	
		
			  RDA expenditure on training and conferences 
			  000 
			  RDA  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 AWM 223 204 206 212 165 144 
			 EEDA 225 177 82 205 42 192 
			 EMDA 137 162 144 176 208 226 
			 LDA (1)0 (1)0 361 560 877 738 
			 NWDA 486 687 445 193 332 619 
			 ONE 176 208 196 543 458 417 
			 SEEDA 421 533 295 299 404 503 
			 SWRDA 146 106 115 219 (2)397 449 
			 YF 848 703 690 735 510 373 
			 (1) LDA had different financial recording systems in 2002 and 2003. To provide expenditure on training and conferences would incur disproportionate cost. (2) As part of SWRDA's Independent Performance Assessment improvement plan, which was signed off by the National Audit Office, the agency provided increased levels of training related to leadership and management for staff in 2006-07 and 2007-08. 
		
	
	
		
			  RDA Expenditure on consultancy fees( 1) 
			  000 
			  RDA  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 AWM 572 453 672 496 247 312 
			 EEDA(2) 449 282 226 714 563 453 
			 EMDA 621 295 149 228 148 347 
			 LDA (3)0 (3)0 335 479 (4)2,062 (4)1,529 
			 NWDA 874 815 792 535 518 833 
			 ONE 183 146 200 309 197 181 
			 SEEDA 110 80 125 98 120 66 
			 SWRDA 527 431 648 557 281 316 
			 YF 180 270 296 194 228 390 
			 (1) Consultancy fees have been defined as expenditure on services commissioned by the RDA to inform the management of the agency, organisational development, strategy, communicating and marketing. It excludes services for specific programme delivery. (2) In 2007-08, the figure includes a 144,000 contribution to NWDA for the RDA Evaluation Project. (3) LDA had different financial recording systems in 2002 and 2003. To provide expenditure on consultancy fees for these years would incur disproportionate cost. (4) Increased consultancy fees can be explained through a need to quickly ramp up capacity alongside increased agency spending levels. This is particularly applies to the Olympic Bid, Olympic Land Assembly and on other major capital projects such as Wembley Stadium. 
		
	
	
		
			  RDA general expenses( 1) 
			   
			  RDA  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 AWM 6,457 7,259 6,908 6,357 5,297 5,296 
			 EEDA 3,664 4,037 4,679 5,324 5,582 6,152 
			 EMDA 5,611 6,027 6,106 6,779 6,303 6,316 
			 LDA(2) 8,387 4,020 13,514 11,628 15,072 9,683 
			 NWDA 33,347 45,775 (3)14,846 16,723 19,520 13,707 
			 ONE 9,689 9,736 8,879 8,880 9,434 6,180 
			 SEEDA 6,941 7,519- 7,525 6,998 7,091 6,729 
			 SWRDA 8,132 8,378 7,806 8,855 9,527 8,475 
			 YF 6,604 7,317 6,918 7,063 (4)5,770 (4)9,306 
			 (1) General expenses include all administrative expenditure, excluding staff costs. (2) General expenses have been calculated as LDA's policy and programme support spend less staffing costs. (3) The methodology for measuring general expenses changed after 2003-04. The main reason for the fall in general expenses from 2003-04 levels to those of 2004-05 and onwards is that expenditure on professional fees related to delivery and developments of projects and programmes which had been included in general expenses, has since been included in expenditure on front line delivery. (4) Due to a change in accounting policy, the 2007-08 figures for General Expenses include costs incurred by subsidiaries of YF to the value of 3,178k. In 2006-07, costs incurred by the same subsidiaries did not have to be included or combined with those of YF and as such the figures for 2006-07 appear lower than those of 2007-08. For comparison purposes, the General Expenses incurred in 2006-07 by Yorkshire Forward's subsidiaries amounted to 3,616k. 
		
	
	
		
			  RDA Expenditure on publications( 1) 
			  000 
			  RDA  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 AWM 17 31 31 51 26 (2)89 
			 EEDA 49 47 32 50 102 99 
			 EMDA 166 105 87 117 142 93 
			 LDA (3)41 (3)278 239 422 266 192 
			 NWDA 57 62 112 84 100 145 
			 ONE 82 126 166 319 424 274 
			 SEEDA 16 19 64 58 41 62 
			 SWRDA 220 235 163 43 49 20 
			 YF 22 8 24 60 30 35 
			 (1) Publications have been defined as corporate publications. It excludes ad hoc internal publications. (2) This figure relates to activity on the agency's land and property portfolio. (3) Figures for 2002-03 and 2003-04 include programme costs.

Regional Development Agencies: Finance

Eric Pickles: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the administrative budget is of each of the regional development agencies in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10.

Patrick McFadden: The following table shows the administrative budget of each regional development agency in 2008-09 and 2009-10.
	
		
			  000 
			  RDA  Administration budget 2008-09  Indicative allocation administration budget 2009-10 
			 AWM 24,491 24,036 
			 EEDA 16,968 16,854 
			 EMDA 18,934 18,687 
			 LDA 43,707 42,559 
			 NWDA 38,378 37,459 
			 ONE 28,149 27,354 
			 SEEDA 24,109 23,424 
			 SWRDA 26,414 25,445 
			 YF 24,973 24,512

Regional Development Agency National Secretariat

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the budget of the Regional Development Agency National Secretariat is for 2008-09.

Patrick McFadden: The budgeted expenditure forecast for 2008-09 is 690,000.

Regional Development Agency National Secretariat

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much the Regional Development Agency National Secretariat has spent on  (a) external public relations or marketing companies or consultants and  (b) external public affairs companies or consultants in the last period for which figures are available.

Patrick McFadden: The regional development agencies national secretariat expenditure on:
	 (a) External public relations or marketing companies or consultants is nil.
	 (b) External public affairs companies or consultants is 29,307.

Trade: Turks and Caicos Islands

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the monetary value of trade between the UK and the Turks and Caicos Islands in each of the last three years.

Gareth Thomas: Data on recorded trade in goods with the Turks and Caicos Islands are shown in the following table:
	
		
			   million 
			   UK exports of goods to Turks and Caicos  UK imports of goods from Turks and Caicos 
			 2005 3.15 0.03 
			 2006 2.24 0.10 
			 2007 2.54 0.02 
			  Source: HMRC Overseas Trade Statistics 
		
	
	Estimates of trade in services are not available for the full three years. ONS data published in the UK Balance of Payments Pink Book 2008 were:
	
		
			   million 
			   UK exports of services to Turks and Caicos  UK imports of services from Turks and Caicos 
			 2006 15 7 
			 2007 16 8

Fuels: Price

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on what dates since 1 May 1997 his Department has re-evaluated its oil price projections for 2020; and what the projected figure was on each date.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 24 June 2008
	The following table shows assumptions published by BERR for the crude oil price in dollars per barrel, listed in terms of 2007 prices for consistency. Prior to 2000 fossil fuel prices were projected on a less frequent basis so a 1995 assumption is provided.
	Projections of the oil price are made for the purpose of providing assumptions to be used in modelling work within the Department, with the focus on long-term sustainable prices and a range of plausible outcomes. The price assumptions are consistent with similar forecasts made at the time. The current projections are compiled following a Call for Evidence and reflect feedback from stakeholders. BERR has committed to updating these projections roughly twice a year.
	Table: Oil price projections for 2020 ($/barrel) in low, central and high scenarios. For comparison all figures have been inflated to 2007 prices using the ONS GDP deflator.
	
		
			  Publication and date assumption made  Low  Central  High 
			 Energy Paper 65 (March 1995) 24.3  56.8 
			 Energy Paper 68 (November 2000) 12.2  24.4 
			 EU Emissions Trading schemeNational allocation Plan (November 2004)  30.7  
			 Updated Fossil FuelPrice Assumptions (August 2005) 27.1 37.9 48.7 
			 Energy Review (July 2006) 21.2 47.7 76.3 
			 Energy White paper (May 2007) 25.8 54.7 82.5 
			 Updated Fossil FuelPrice Assumptions (March 2008) 45.0 70.0 (1)95.0 
			(2)150.0 
			 (1) High scenario (2) High-high scenario

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Assistant Regional Ministers

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  to what office  (a) staff and  (b) resources assistant regional ministers are entitled; whether they will have the use of a Government car; and what estimate he has made of the annual cost to the public purse of assistant regional ministers;
	(2)  if he will revise the Ministerial Code to take account of the establishment of the post of assistant regional minister; if he will arrange for such assistant ministers to be replaced on select committees to which they have been appointed; and what guidance he has issued to such assistant ministers on their tabling of questions and early-day motions.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 28 October 2008
	Parliamentary assistants to regional ministers have a key role in supporting regional ministers in their work for the Council of Regional Ministers. However, they are not members of the Government and as such receive no remuneration for the role. Nor are they allocated a Government car, office or staff. Membership of Select Committees and the tabling of parliamentary questions and early-day motions is principally a matter for the House. There are no plans to amend the Ministerial Code.

Cardiovascular Diseases: Death

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many and what proportion of all deaths in each region were from circulation diseases in the latest period for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated November 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many and what proportion of all deaths in each region were from circulation diseases in the latest period for which figures are available. (238463)
	The table attached provides the number of deaths, and per cent of all deaths, with an underlying cause of circulatory disease in each Government Office Region for 2007 (the latest year available).
	
		
			  Table 1. Number of deaths, and per cent. of all deaths, with an underlying cause of circulatory disease, by government office region, England, 2007( 1, 2) 
			  Persons 
			  Government office region  Number of deaths  Percentage of all deaths 
			 North East 8,734 33 
			 North West 24,192 34 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 16,784 33 
			 East Midlands 13,832 33 
			 West Midlands 17,007 33 
			 East of England 17,425 34 
			 London 16,743 33 
			 South East 25,763 34 
			 South West 18,127 34 
			 (1 )Cause of death for circulatory disease was defined using the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes 100-199. (2 )Figures are for deaths registered in 2007.

Death: Drugs

Norman Lamb: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 16 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1474W, on drugs: death, if he will ask the UK Statistics Authority to break down the information given by  (a) age and  (b) country.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated November 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking pursuant to the Answer of 16(th) October 2008, Official Report, column 1474W, on drugs: death, to break down the information given by (a) age and (b) country. (236958)
	The table attached provides the numbers of deaths for which the underlying cause was drug poisoning, where any drug controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was mentioned on the death certificate, for males and females broken down by (a) age group and (b) country in England and Wales from 1997 to 2007 (the latest year available).
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of deaths from drug misuse( 1) , males and females, by age group, England and Wales, 1997 to 2007( 2, 3) 
			  Deaths 
			   Males  Females 
			   20  20-29  30-39  40-49  50-69  70+  20  20-29  30-39  40-49  50-69  70+ 
			  England 
			 1997 64 424 287 134 50 20 14 76 46 43 37 38 
			 1998 71 421 366 174 41 19 22 73 84 49 40 29 
			 1999 70 448 478 170 62 24 18 76 74 35 39 44 
			 2000 49 428 461 229 64 19 20 63 63 46 37 31 
			 2001 52 467 503 235 69 36 18 90 84 59 42 42 
			 2002 44 446 452 154 71 15 20 76 77 59 56 35 
			 2003 34 314 419 177 56 18 13 66 84 50 48 34 
			 2004 24 322 454 191 100 19 17 79 74 60 46 29 
			 2005 25 315 482 230 109 21 12 62 96 78 50 26 
			 2006 32 309 446 256 96 22 13 65 88 54 60 28 
			 2007 22 314 458 281 104 15 12 55 90 61 44 23 
			  
			  Wales 
			 1997 9 21 10 3 1 0 1 6 1 2 6 0 
			 1998 2 26 12 1 0 0 2 2 2 3 1 5 
			 1999 3 24 15 7 2 1 1 7 6 4 2 1 
			 2000 4 21 27 9 4 2 0 0 7 2 1 1 
			 2001 4 34 26 10 2 0 1 7 2 3 3 0 
			 2002 5 29 20 11 4 2 1 4 5 4 2 1 
			 2003 6 37 34 8 6 1 0 5 3 4 3 2 
			 2004 0 18 22 6 8 1 1 1 3 4 1 3 
			 2005 4 18 35 9 4 0 0 3 8 5 2 1 
			 2006 3 24 34 11 6 0 1 5 3 2 3 0 
			 2007 3 24 33 14 6 0 0 4 8 4 9 5 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) for the years 1997 to 2000, and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for 2001 onwards. Deaths were included where the underlying cause was due to drug poisoning (corresponding ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes are shown in the following table) and where a drug controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was mentioned on the death certificate. (2) Figures exclude deaths of non-residents. There were 163 deaths of non-residents from drug misuse in the period 1997 to 2007. (3) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. 
		
	
	
		
			  ICD-10  ICD-9  Description 
			 F11-F16, F18-F19 292, 304, 305.2-305.9 Mental and behavioural disorders due to drug use (excluding alcohol and tobacco) 
			 X40-X44 E850-E858 Accidental poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances 
			 X60-X64 E950.0-E950.5 Intentional self-poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances 
			 X85 E962.0 Assault by drugs, medicaments and biological substances 
			 Y10-Y14 E980.0-E980.5 Poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances, undetermined intent

Departmental Catering

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  whether food and drink on sale to staff of the Prime Minister's Office at official premises is subsidised from public funds;
	(2)  whether food and drink on sale to staff of  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds.

Kevin Brennan: The Prime Minister's Office forms an integral part of the Cabinet Office.
	There is no subsidy from public funds of food and drink on sale to Cabinet Office staff at official premises.

Departmental Consultants

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many external consultants work for the Prime Minister's Office.

Kevin Brennan: The Prime Minister's Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office and therefore information on external consultants working for the Prime Minister's Office cannot be separated.
	The information requested for the Cabinet Office is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how many full-time equivalent staff in his Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many full-time equivalent staff in the Prime Minister's Office assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years.

Kevin Brennan: One civil servant supports the special adviser in the Department, providing administrative support of a non-political nature in accordance with the provisions of the 'Code of Conduct for Special Advisers'. Individual civil servants' salary details are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individual concerned.
	The position in relation to No. 10 was set out in the reply given by the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Edward Miliband) to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) on 17 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 1082-83W.

Departmental Research

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what research reports the Cabinet Office has commissioned from external bodies in the last 24 months.

Kevin Brennan: Cabinet Office units regularly commission research reports from external bodies, relating to areas of Cabinet Office responsibility.
	The Department does not hold a central record of all research reports commissioned from external bodies in the last 24 months.

Employment

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what his latest estimate is of the number of  (a) UK nationals,  (b) non-UK EU nationals and  (c) non-EU nationals who were in (i) full-time employment and (ii) part-time employment in the UK in each year since 1995; and what the percentage rate of change was for UK nationals in each type of employment as a proportion of the UK working age population in each of those years.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, November 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the latest estimate is of the number of  (a) UK nationals,  (b) non-UK EU nationals and  (c) non-EU nationals who were in (i) full-time employment and (ii) part-time employment in the UK in each year since 1995; and what the percentage rate of change was for UK nationals in each type of employment as a proportion of the UK working age population in each of those years. (236964)
	The attached tables give the number of people of working age in employment for the categories requested, from July-September 1995 to July-September 2008.
	The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	The figures in the table are derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007. They are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  Table 1: Employment levels for people of working age( 1) , by nationality and working pattern Three months ending July to September, 1995 to 2008: United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			   UK  Other EU( 2)  Non-EU  Total( 3) 
			   Full-time  Part-time  Full-time  Part time  Full-time  Part-time  Full-time  Part-time  Total( 4) 
			 1995 18,779 5,574 296 84 360 108 19,663 6,329 25,998 
			 1996 18,799 5,771 292 78 364 111 19,680 6,511 26,200 
			 1997 19,058 5,867 320 93 431 121 20,033 6,671 26,707 
			 1998 19,310 5,873 345 94 441 131 20,312 6,652 26,969 
			 1999 19,529 6,000 342 81 471 116 20,568 6,778 27,351 
			 2000 19,570 6,141 358 88 540 161 20,692 6,984 27,685 
			 2001 19,750 6,007 378 88 569 180 20,926 6,905 27,839 
			 2002 19,602 6,221 386 74 657 187 20,900 7,115 28,026 
			 2003 19,740 6,243 378 97 688 212 21,079 7,241 28,331 
			 2004(5) 19,812 6,298 445 110 717 198 21,259 7,306 28,583 
			 2005 20,063 6,202 544 113 751 214 21,682 7,263 28,960 
			 2006 19,883 6,191 644 109 907 254 21,791 7,374 29,178 
			 2007(6) 19,888 6,124 820 149 884 267 21,988 7,375 29,382 
			 2008(7) *19,787 *6,102 *883 **162 *950 **290 22,032 7,455 29,533 
			 (1 )Men aged 16-64 and women aged 16-59 (2) Other EU comprises Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden from 1995 to 2003. (3) Includes those who did not state their nationality. (4) Includes those who did not state whether they were in full-time or part-time employment. (5 )Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined the EU on 1 May 2004 and are included from 2004 onwards. (6) Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU on 1 January 2007 and are included from 2007 onwards. (7) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described as follows:  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CVfor example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220.  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV) (%) Statistical Robustness * 0 = CV 5 Estimates are considered precise ** 5 = CV  10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 = CV  20 Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes  Note:  It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc.)  Source: Labour Force Survey 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: UK nationals as a percentage of all working age( 1)  people in employment, by working pattern three months ending July to September, 1995 to 2008: United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			   Percentage share 
			   Full-time  Part-time 
			 1995 95 88 
			 1996 96 89 
			 1997 95 88 
			 1998 95 88 
			 1999 95 89 
			 2000 95 88 
			 2001 94 87 
			 2002 94 87 
			 2003 94 86 
			 2004 93 86 
			 2005 93 85 
			 2006 91 84 
			 2007 90 83 
			 2008 90 82 
			 (1) Men aged 16-64 and women aged 16-59.  Note: It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishments (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc.)

Foreign Workers

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hertsmere of 17 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 1428-30W, on foreign workers: EU nationals, what the  (a) number of people of working age in employment,  (b) working age population and  (c) working age population employment rate of (i) the UK, (ii) UK citizens, (iii) UK-born citizens, (iv) non-UK citizens and (v) EU A8 citizens was (A) in each year between 1997 and 2001 and (B) in each quarter of 2008 for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated November 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Hertsmere of 17th January 2008, Official Report, columns 1428-30W, on foreign workers: EU nationals, what the (a) number of people of working age in employment, (b) working age population and (c) working age population employment rate of (i) the UK, (ii) UK citizens, (iii) UK born citizens, (iv) non-UK citizens and (v) EU A8 citizens was (A) in each year between 1997 and 2001 and (B) in each quarter of 2008 for which figures are available. (238571)
	The attached tables give the number of people of working age for the categories requested.
	The estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The figures have been derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in September 2007. These population estimates were incorporated in to the LFS in May 2008; as such the estimates provided to the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 17 January 2008 have been revised. In order to ensure that the estimates are comparable, revised figures for the period 2001 to 2007 have also been provided. As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	As the figures have been derived from the LFS microdata which are weighted using the official population estimates published in autumn 2007, they are not entirely consistent with the figures published in the monthly Labour Market Statistics First Release, or the migrant worker figures published every quarter, which are weighted using more up-to-date population estimates.
	
		
			  Levels of working age( 1)  people, by nationality and country of birth; three months ending June 1997 to 2001; three months ending March, June and September 2008United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			   Total UK( 2)  UK nationals  UK born  Non- UK nationals( 3)  EU A8 nationals( 4) 
			 1997 Q2 35,297 33,729 32,256 1,566 20 
			 1998 Q2 35,418 33,696 32,238 1,718 31 
			 1999 Q2 35,594 33,939 32,401 1,655 26 
			 2000 Q2 35,800 33,959 32,451 1,834 43 
			 2001 Q2 36,060 34,140 32,601 1,915 47 
			 2002 Q2 36,279 34,242 32,643 2,034 47 
			 2003 Q2 36,482 34,315 32,623 2,166 53 
			 2004 Q2 36,730 34,457 32,771 2,266 79 
			 2005 Q2 37,055 34,588 32,842 2,461 172 
			 2006 Q2 37,342 34,635 32,756 2,702 305 
			 2007 Q2 37,556 34,438 32,560 3,095 525 
			 2008 Q1 37,708 34,440 32,530 3,256 602 
			 2008 Q2 37,758 34,462 32,516 3,287 590 
			 2008 Q3(5) *37,808 *34,498 *32,535 *3,283 *599 
			 (1) Men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59. (2) Includes those whose nationality or country of birth was not known. (3) Excludes those whose nationality was not known. (4) EU A8 comprises Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. (5) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described as follows:  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CVfor example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220.  Key Coefficient of Variation (CV) Statistical Robustness * 0 = CV  5 Estimates are considered precise. ** 5 = CV  10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise. *** 10 = CV  20 Estimates are considered acceptable. **** CV = 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes.  Note: It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc.).  Source: Labour Force Survey 
		
	
	
		
			  Employment levels for people of working age( 1) , by nationality and country of birth, three months ending June 1997 to 2001; three months ending March, June and September 2008United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			   Total UK( 2)  UK nationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 3)  EU A8 nationals( 4) 
			 1997 Q2 25,631 24,686 23,710 943 13 
			 1998 Q2 25,858 24,821 23,845 1,036 17 
			 1999 Q2 26,206 25,212 24,173 993 14 
			 2000 Q2 26,564 25,456 24,438 1,108 27 
			 2001 Q2 26,810 25,629 24,594 1,179 29 
			 2002 Q2 26,967 25,701 24,611 1,264 29 
			 2003 Q2 27,201 25,843 24,692 1,358 29 
			 2004 Q2 27,354 25,883 24,762 1,469 63 
			 2005 Q2 27,607 26,032 24,849 1,572 141 
			 2006 Q2 27,775 25,938 24,670 1,837 252 
			 2007 Q2 27,895 25,784 24,508 2,103 431 
			 2008 Q1 28,131 25,870 24,547 2,254 500 
			 2008 Q2 28,152 25,882 24,532 2,266 498 
			 2008 Q3(5) *28,214 *25,928 *24,580 *2,279 **504 
			 (1) Men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59. (2) Includes those whose nationality or country of birth was not known. (3) Excludes those whose nationality was not known. (4) EU A8 comprises Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. (5) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates, as described as follows:  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV - for example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent. we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key Coefficient of Variation (CV) Statistical Robustness * 0 = CV  5 Estimates are considered precise. ** 5 = CV10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise. *** 10 = CV  20 Estimates are considered acceptable. **** CV = 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes.  Note: It should be noted that the above estimates exclude people in most types of communal establishment (e.g. hotels, boarding houses, hostels, mobile home sites etc.).  Source: Labour Force Survey 
		
	
	
		
			  Employment rates for people of working age( 1) , by nationality and country of birth, three months ending June 1997 to 2001; three months ending March, June and September 2008United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Percentage 
			   Total UK( 2)  UK nationals  UK born  Non-UK nationals( 3)  EU A8 nationals( 4) 
			 1997 Q2 73 73 74 60 65 
			 1998 Q2 73 74 74 60 54 
			 1999 Q2 74 74 75 60 56 
			 2000 Q2 74 75 75 60 63 
			 2001 Q2 74 75 75 62 62 
			 2002 Q2 74 75 75 62 60 
			 2003 Q2 75 75 76 63 55 
			 2004 Q2 75 75 76 65 79 
			 2005 Q2 75 75 76 64 82 
			 2006 Q2 74 75 75 68 83 
			 2007 Q2 74 75 75 68 82 
			 2008 Q1 75 75 76 69 83 
			 2008 Q2 75 75 75 69 85 
			 2008 Q3 75 75 76 69 84 
			 (1) Men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59. (2) Includes those whose nationality or country of birth was not known. (3) Excludes those whose nationality was not known. (4) EU A8 comprises Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.  Source: Labour Force Survey

Futurebuilders

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much Futurebuilders has spent in payments to the charity Catz Club; and what the  (a) amount and  (b) date was of each payment made.

Liam Byrne: The payments made to Catz Club by Futurebuilders are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Catz Club payments 
			   Facility type  Amount drawn () 
			 30 April 2005 Capital Grant 34,000 
			 30 April 2005 Loan 200,000 
			 16 June 2005 Capital Grant 34,000 
			 16 June 2005 Loan 350,000 
			 5 September2005 Capital Grant 34,000 
			 5 September 2005 Loan 350,000 
			 9 November 2005 Capital Grant 17,000 
			 9 November 2005 Loan 225,000 
			 19 December 2005 Capital Grant 17,000 
			 19 December 2005 Loan 225,000 
			 17 February 2006 Capital Grant 34,000 
			 17 February 2006 Loan 16,000 
			 Total  1,536,000

Futurebuilders

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what reasons Futurebuilders ended its contract with the charity Catz Club.

Liam Byrne: The Futurebuilders Programme is run by Futurebuilders England Ltd. (FBE) under contract to the Cabinet Office. The termination of their relationship is subject to a confidentiality agreement between FBE and Catz Club.

Office of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Stephen Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many staff the Office of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman had in each of the last three years; and what the Office's budget was in each such year.

Liam Byrne: The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is an independent statutory office holder. The ombudsman publishes details of staff numbers and budgets in her annual report which is laid before Parliament in accordance with Section 10(4) of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967. Copies of the ombudsman's annual reports are available in the Libraries of the House.

Productivity

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the productivity level per worker was in each region in the latest period for which figures are available.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated November 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on what productivity level per worker was in each region in the latest period for which figures are available. (238462)
	The Office for National Statistics does not produce output per worker estimates at a regional level. Output per worker productivity estimates are only available at the UK level with base year 2003=100. Annual productivity statistics at Government Office Region are available for gross value added (GVA) per hour, GVA per job and GVA per head. These are produced with the base being UK=100.
	Table 1 attached provides estimates of the index value with UK=100 of GVA per filled job at Government Office Region level for 2006.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			  Region  GVA per filled job 
			  United Kingdom 100.0 
			 North East 91.6 
			 North West 90.5 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 89.1 
			 East Midlands 97.1 
			 West Midlands 91.1 
			 East 97.2 
			 London 129.3 
			 South East 107.1 
			 South West 94.1 
			   
			 England 101.7 
			 Wales 86.2 
			 Scotland 94.9 
			 Northern Ireland 87.1

Unemployed

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what estimate he has made of the number of people in  (a) Vale of York constituency and  (b) the UK who were unemployed for six months or more in each of the last five years.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated November 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about what estimate has been made of the number of people in (a) Vale of York constituency and (b) the UK who were unemployed for six months or more in each of the last five years (237095).
	The Office for National Statistics compiles employment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey (APS) and its predecessor the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation definitions.
	Table 1, attached, shows the number of people aged 16+, resident in (a) the Vale of York constituency and (b) the UK who were unemployed for six months or more in each of the last five years. Estimates are provided for the 12 month period ending in February 2004 from the annual LFS, and for 12 month periods ending in March from 2005 to 2008 from the APS.
	As these estimates are for a subset of the population in small geographical areas, they are based on small sample sizes, and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of persons unemployed( 1)  for 6 months or more resident in (a) Vale of York and (b) UK in each of the last 5 years 
			  Thousand 
			  12 months ending  York  UK 
			 February 2004 (3) 524 
			 March 2005 (3) 477 
			 March 2006 (3) 561 
			 March 2007 (3) 645 
			 March 2008(2) ****1 *645 
			 (1) Levels of unemployment are provided for persons aged 16 and over. The figures presented are weighted to population estimates published in 2007. (2) Coefficients of Variation have been calculated for the latest period as an indication of the quality of the estimates. See Guide to Quality. (3) Data not available or disclosive.  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of an estimate, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CVfor example, for an estimate of 200 with a CV of 5% we would expect the population total to be within the range 180-220. Key Coefficient of Variation (CV) (%) Statistical Robustness * 0 = CV 5 Estimates are considered precise ** 5 = CV  10 Estimates are considered reasonably precise *** 10 = CV  20 Estimates are considered acceptable **** CV 20 Estimates are considered too unreliable for practical purposes  Source: Annual Population Survey and annual Labour Force Survey

V

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what funding his Department has provided for the charity v in the last five years; what estimate he has made of  (a) the number of volunteers created as a result of such funding and  (b) the cost per volunteer created; and what assessment he has made of the effects of diversion and substitution of volunteers resulting from such funding on other charities.

Kevin Brennan: The Cabinet Office has provided 25,643,000 to v in 2006-07 and 47,175,000 in 2007-08.
	 (a) Up to the end of September 2008 v had created over 750,000 volunteering opportunities and approximately 251,000 had been completed by volunteers.
	 (b) Organisations that deliver projects under v involved, the national youth volunteering programme, were expected to apply for funding based on the following costs per volunteer:
	
		
			  Type of opportunity  Scale of cost per opportunity () 
			 Full-timeapproximately 30 hours a week over a period of not less than 13 weeks 3,000-5,000 
			 Part-timea few hours per month up to two or three days per week 500-1,500 
			 Short termone off 50-150 
		
	
	v aims to prioritise opportunities for a diverse range of young people including young people in or leaving care, offenders and ex-offenders and people with physical or learning disabilities. Volunteers from these groups can require more support which increases the cost per volunteer.
	v is working with existing volunteer involving organisations to inspire a million more young volunteers. The volunteer opportunities that they have created will therefore improve the quantity as well as the quality of the opportunities that are being offered to young people.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Brussels

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department spent on visits by its staff to Brussels in 2007-08; and how many such visits were made by  (a) air and  (b) rail.

Sadiq Khan: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Councillors: Isle of Wight

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the Standards Board for England's investigation into six councillors on the Isle of Wight has cost.

John Healey: The investigation of these complex cases, which the Isle of Wight council's standards committee invited the Standards Board for England to investigate and which involve serious allegations against a number of councillors, is continuing. Hence, while the final costs have yet to be determined, the Standards Board assesses that some 35,000 in costs have been incurred to date.

Departmental Catering

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether food and drink on sale to staff of  (a) her Department and  (b) each of its agencies at official premises is subsidised from public funds.

Sadiq Khan: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not subsidise the cost of food and drink to its staff.
	Staff at the Fire Service College do receive free issue tea and coffee as part of the overall provision of refreshments to students attending courses.

Departmental Consultants

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much  (a) her Department and  (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultancy in each year since her Department's inception; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: Figures for the Department and its agencies expenditure on external consultancy have been published in our Annual Reports for the last two financial years and can be found here:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/archived/publications/corporate/annual-report07
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/annualreport08
	Figure for earlier years and the Department's wider family of non-departmental bodies could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
	The figure for professional services (excluding research) but including consultancy at the half year mark for the Department alone was 21,862,398 excluding VAT. Of this, Management and IT Consultancy was 20.2 million. Similar figures for agencies and non-departmental Government bodies could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Electronic Equipment

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department, its predecessor and its agencies have spent on  (a) flat screen televisions,  (b) DVD players and  (c) stereo equipment in each of the last three years.

Sadiq Khan: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost by the Department.
	The Fire Service College spent the following on flat screen TVs in the last three years but has not purchased any DVD players or stereo equipment:
	
		
			
			 2008 1,000 
			 2007 9,000 
			 2006 0 
		
	
	The other agencies, Ordnance Survey, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and the Planning Inspectorate could supply this information only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Internet

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for which Government websites her Department is responsible; how many visitors each received in the last period for which figures are available; and what the cost of maintaining each site was in that period.

Hazel Blears: For information relating to costs and visitors relating to the Department's main website:
	www.communities.gov.uk
	I refer the right hon. Member to the answers given by the hon. Member for Gloucester to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) on 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 119W.
	In addition, during the period April 2007 to March 2008, the Department maintained the websites tabled as follows:
	
		
			  Website  2007-08 cost ()  2007-08 total visitors 
			 www.cleanersafergreener.gov.uk 14,200.00 43,442 
			 www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk 72,295.00 (1) 
			 www.mcisproject.co.uk 846.00 1,112 
			 www.iggi.gov.uk 264.00 23,284 
			 www.tesaproject.co.uk 846.00 46,593 
			 www.xoq83.dial.pipex.com 165.00 (1) 
			 www.nlud.org.uk 376.00 (1) 
			 www.spkweb.org.uk 14,100.00 177,481 
			 www.planningportal.gov.uk 1,332,868.00 2,504,876 
			 www.spdirectory.org.uk 414,230.00 (1) 
			 www.info41ocal.gov.uk (1) 596,056 
			 (1) Not held in the format requested. 
		
	
	In line with the Government's Transformational Government Strategy to reduce the number of Government websites, some sites closed during the period in question. These sites are not included in the table. Where information is not held in the format required for the period in question, it could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Manpower

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many press officers were employed in her Department in each year since 1997-98; what the total cost was in each year; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: For press office costs, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. Dhanda) to the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Julia Goldsworthy) on 17 July 2008,  Official Report, column 580W.
	For numbers of press officers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. Dhanda) on 18 February 2008,  Official Report, column 14W. For our predecessor Department, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the hon. Member for Poplar and Canning Town (Jim Fitzpatrick) to the hon. Member for Sutton Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 20 July 2005,  Official Report, column 1772W.
	The hon. Member may also wish to refer to the White Book, published by COL. This is available in the Library of the House and contains a listing for members of the Department's Communications Directorate. The book is updated twice yearly.

Departmental Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff in her Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff was in 2007-08.

Sadiq Khan: No staff are employed full-time on branding activity.

Departmental Marketing

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much  (a) her Department and  (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) publicity and (ii) advertising in each year since her Department's inception; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: Figures for public information campaigns in the financial year 2007-08 were published in the Department's Annual Report, which is available in the Library of the House and from the Department's website.
	For figures relating to previous years, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Maidenhead, on 27 June 2007,  Official Report, column 807W.
	Figures for external agencies could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many full-time equivalent staff in her Department assist special advisers; and what the cost of employing such staff was in each of the last three years.

Sadiq Khan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Mr. Dhanda) on 3 December 2007,  Official Report, column 874W.

Departmental Press Releases

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many press releases have been issued by her Department in each year since 1997-98; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: The Office of The Deputy Prime Minister was formed in May 2002. It issued the following number of press releases:
	
		
			   Number 
			 May 2002 to 31 December 2002 162 
			 1 January to 31 December 2003 283 
			 1 January to 31 December 2004 332 
			 1 January to 31 December 2005 287 
			 1 January to May 2006 92 
		
	
	The Office of The Deputy Prime Minister was succeeded by the Department for Communities and Local Government in May 2006. It has issued the following number of press releases:
	
		
			   Number 
			 May 2006 to 31 December 2006 185 
			 1 January to 31 December 2007 266 
			 1 January to 19 November 2008 275

Fire Services: Manpower

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many firefighters per 100,000 residents there were in  (a) Staffordshire and  (b) the West Midlands in each year since 1997.

Sadiq Khan: Information on the number of firefighters per 100,000 population in Staffordshire and West Midlands, fire service areas, is set out as follows.
	
		
			  Firefighters per 100,000 population 
			   Staffordshire  West Midlands 
			 1997-98 80 79 
			 1998-99 81 79 
			 1999-2000 82 79 
			 2000-01 81 79 
			 2001-02 83 79 
			 2002-03 85 77 
			 2003-04 83 77 
			 2004-05 83 76 
			 2005-06 79 71 
			 2006-07 80 74 
			 2007-08 79 75 
			  Source: Annual returns to Communities and Local Government

Homelessness

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent steps the Government have taken to assist the third sector in providing services to people who are homeless.

Iain Wright: holding answer 20 November 2008
	 In December 2007 we announced homelessness grant funding of at least 150 million over the next three years to support local authorities to tackle and prevent homelessness in their area. They, in turn, fund the voluntary sector. In addition, we have also allocated over 50 million of homelessness grant over three years directly to the voluntary sector. This 200 million investment is the biggest ever cash injection for homelessness services.
	On 18 November we launched a new rough sleeping strategy No One Left Out: communities ending rough sleeping which is a 15 point action plan that sets out our vision to work with partners to end rough sleeping by 2012. This includes action to develop a community training programme for local community and faith-based groups who work with rough sleepers, to support these groups and to strengthen the skills and knowledge they need for their work. This will build on existing training resources already being delivered through the faith based and community sector.
	We have also funded 258 projects through the 170 million Places of Change programme and its predecessor, which improve hostels and day centres used by rough sleepers through local authorities working in partnership with voluntary organisations.

Homelessness

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps the Government are taking to reduce levels of street homelessness in the west midlands.

Iain Wright: holding answer 20 November 2008
	 We have long recognised that the most visible form of homelessness is that of people sleeping on the streets. In 1998 the then Prime Minister set a target that by 2002 the number of rough sleepers should be reduced by at least two thirds. The target was met ahead of time and is being sustained.
	Clearly there is more to be done to help those in need and to drive down rough sleeping numbers to as close to zero as possible. Therefore, on 18 November, we launched a new rough sleeping strategy No One Left Out: communities ending rough sleeping which is a 15 point action plan that sets out our vision to work with partners to end rough sleeping by 2012.
	In addition, we have announced 200 million funding for local authorities and the voluntary sector over the next three years to help prevent homelessness and tackle rough sleeping. This is the biggest ever cash injection for homelessness services. We have also funded 258 projects through the 170 million Places of Change programme and its predecessor, with over 13 million invested in 16 projects in the west midlands.

Homelessness

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will remind local authorities of their obligations to properly consider all the circumstances when people become homeless following repossession due to mortgage arrears and that a presumption of intentional homelessness is unlawful in such circumstances.

Iain Wright: We are working closely with all English local housing authorities to assist them in providing advice and assistance to households threatened with homelessness as a result of mortgage repossession, in particular to help them prepare for implementation of the new 200 million mortgage rescue scheme announced on 2 September. This includes briefing local authorities, through a series of regional summits, on their obligations under the homelessness legislation (part 7 of the Housing Act 1996) to households who become homeless following repossession.

Housing: Low Incomes

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many social housing tenants applying for a housing transfer did so on medical grounds in each of the last five years.

Iain Wright: This information is not available in the format requested.

Housing: Planning

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what mechanisms are in place to assess housing demand when considering housing targets in Planning Policy Statement 3.

Iain Wright: 'Planning Policy Statement 3; Housing' requires that strategic housing market assessments be completed to establish the housing need and demand in an area. This evidence should be used to inform housing targets set in regional spatial strategies and local development documents.

Local Government: Procurement

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to promote the use of whole-life costing in local government procurement.

John Healey: Subject to their legal duties local authorities are responsible for taking their own procurement decisions. Existing guidance from Communities and Local Government states that for most best value contracts, awarding on the basis of 'lowest price' is unlikely to be satisfactory. The best value option will involve other factors such as whole life cost, quality and service delivery.

Local Government: Telephone Services

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local councils operate free financial advice helplines.

Sadiq Khan: The information requested is not held by Communities and Local Government.

National Clearing House Scheme

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homes in each  (a) region and  (b) local authority area have been brought under the National Clearing House scheme.

Iain Wright: In May, the Government announced a plan to take advantage of market opportunities to bring private sector developer stock into the affordable housing sector by providing 200 million of funding through the Housing Corporation's national Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) for the purchase of homes from house builders.
	To help facilitate this, the Housing Corporation set up the National Clearing House to streamline initial assessment of national packages of at least 250 units from private sector house builders. Housing Corporation investment partners, mainly registered social landlords, wishing to buy smaller number of units from developers could bid for funding directly to the Corporation in the normal way.
	A table showing the distribution of units purchased, and the grant allocated as at the beginning of November by the Corporation for the purchase, by local authority area and region has been deposited in the Library.

Non-domestic Rates: Ports

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many times the Valuation Office has increased the business rates in UK ports by  (a) 50 per cent.,  (b) 75 per cent. and  (c) 100 per cent. over the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: Valuation officers are required to maintain accurate rating lists. When they become aware a change is needed through amendment of an existing entry or insertion of a new entry, they must make the alteration and specify the date from which the change is effective. They are not responsible for calculating actual rate liabilities or collecting amounts due, which are the responsibility of local (billing) authorities.
	There are seven ports in England and Wales where proposed changes to the rating lists have been actioned and result in net increases in the aggregate rateable values for port operators and occupiers of 50 per cent. or more. Of these, one would increase by more than 75 per cent. and two by more than 100 per cent. Under rating legislation, operators and occupiers have rights of appeal against the respective valuation officers' proposals and so the final outcomes may vary.

Non-domestic Rates: Ports

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what change there has been in levels of business rates in the last 12 months; and what assessment she has made of the effect of that change on small and medium sized businesses based in ports.

John Healey: An assessment cannot be made of the impact on individual businesses as there are too many variables relating to business eligibility for rate relief, and any successful appeals to valuations.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what the  (a) Government grant and  (b) budget for North Yorkshire fire and rescue service has been in (i) cash and (ii) real terms in the last 20 years; and how much it is in 2008-09;
	(2)  what the percentage increase each year and cumulatively in the  (a) Government grant and  (b) overall budget of (i) North Yorkshire fire and rescue service and (ii) all fire and rescue services in England in (A) cash and (B) real terms was in each of the last 20 years; and what it was in 2008-09.

Sadiq Khan: holding answer 17 November 2008
	The net current expenditure on fire and rescue services for North Yorkshire fire and rescue service and England in cash and real terms since the establishment of North Yorkshire fire and rescue service in April 1996 are tabled as follows.
	Comparisons across years may not be valid due to changing local authority responsibilities.
	Information for North Yorkshire fire and rescue service prior to 1996-97 is not available as this authority did not exist prior to April 1996.
	 (A) Cash terms:
	
		
			  North Yorkshire fire and rescue service 
			   Net current expenditure (non-FRS17)  Government grant 
			   000  Year on year change (percentage)  Change from 1996-97 (percentage)  000  Year on year change (percentage)  Change from 2004-05 (percentage) 
			 1996-97 16,038  
			 1997-98 17,090 7 7
			 1998-99 17,449 2 9
			 1999-2000 19,132 10 19
			 2000-01 18,663 -2 16
			 2001-02 20,087 8 25
			 2002-03 23,348 16 46
			 2003-04 23,397 0 46
			 2004-05 27,922 19 74 13,486   
			 2005-06 28,359 2 77 14,221 5 5 
			 2006-07 28,986 2 81 13,027 -8 -3 
			 2007-08(1) 32,802 13 105 13,361 3 -1 
			 2008-09(2) 29,117 -11 82 13,653 2 1 
		
	
	
		
			  England 
			   Net current expenditure on all fire and rescue services (non FRS17)  Government grant 
			   000  Year on year change (percentage)  Change from 1996-97 (percentage)  000 
			 1996-97 1,280,636
			 1997-98 1,337,224 4 4  
			 1998-99 1,402,342 5 10  
			 1999-2000 1,474,110 5 15  
			 2000-01 1,524,179 3 19  
			 2001-02 1,606,501 5 25  
			 2002-03 1,697,801 6 33  
			 2003-04 1,844,834 9 44  
			 2004-05 1,957,453 6 53  
			 2005-06 2,056,972 5 61  
			 2006-07 2,027,215 -1 58  
			 2007-08(1) 2,111,546 4 65  
			 2008-09(2) 2,219,582 5 73  
		
	
	 (B) Real terms (2007-08 prices):
	
		
			  North Yorkshire fire and rescue service 
			   Net current expenditure (non-FRS17)  Government grant 
			   000  Year on year change (percentage)  Change from 1996-97 (percentage)  000  Year on year change (percentage)  Change from 2004-05 (percentage) 
			 1996-97 20,908  
			 1997-98 21,710 4 4
			 1998-99 21,704 0 4
			 1999-2000 23,339 8 12
			 2000-01 22,472 -4 7
			 2001-02 23,659 5 13
			 2002-03 26,641 13 27
			 2003-04 25,957 -3 24
			 2004-05 30,157 16 44 14,565   
			 2005-06 30,014 0 44 15,051 3 12 
			 2006-07 29,873 0 43 13,426 -11 0 
			 2007-08(1) 32,802 10 57 13,361 0 -1 
			 2008-09(2) 28,269 -14 35 13,255 -1 -2 
		
	
	
		
			  England 
			   Net current expenditure on all fire and rescue services (non FRS17)  Government grant 
			   000  Year on year change (percentage)  Change from 1996-97 (percentage)  000 
			 1996-97 1,669,495
			 1997-98 1,698,688 2 2  
			 1998-99 1,744,293 3 4  
			 1999-2000 1,798,221 3 8  
			 2000-01 1,835,233 2 10  
			 2001-02 1,892,160 3 13  
			 2002-03 1,937,244 2 16  
			 2003-04 2,046,677 6 23  
			 2004-05 2,114,131 3 30  
			 2005-06 2,177,036 3 30  
			 2006-07 2,089,266 -4 25  
			 2007-08(1) 2,111,546 1 26  
			 2008-09(2) 2,154,934 2 29  
			 (1) Provisional outturn . (2) Budget estimates.   Source:  Communities and Local Government Revenue Outturn (RO) and Revenue Account (RA) Budget returns and HM Treasury GDP deflators. 
		
	
	The current expenditure defined here is the cost of running local authority services within the financial year. This includes the costs of staffing, heating, lighting and cleaning, together with expenditure on goods and services consumed within the year. This expenditure is offset by income from sales, fees and charges and other (non-grant) income, to give net current expenditure.
	The net current expenditure figures are produced on a non-Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 17 basis.
	The real terms figures at 2007-08 prices have been calculated using the latest GDP deflators.
	Central Government grant is defined here as the sum of formula grant (Revenue Support Grant and redistributed non-domestic rates) and specific grants inside Aggregate External Finance (AEF), i.e. revenue grants paid for council's core services. It excludes grants outside AEF (i.e. where funding is not for authorities' core services, but is passed to a third party, for example, rent allowances and rebates), capital grants, funding for the local authorities' housing management responsibilities and those grant programmes (such as European funding) where authorities are simply one of the recipients of funding paid towards an area.
	The information on central Government grant for England is not available as it is not possible to separately identify the funding for fire and rescue service. This is because the formula grant is unhypothecated.
	Government grant data for North Yorkshire fire and rescue service are available from 2004-05 onwards when it became a precepting authority. Before this, it levied on the county council's budget requirement and did not receive direct grant from the Government.

Official Engagements: Regional Ministers

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the official engagements were from 6 October to 31 October 2008 for  (a) the Minister for London,  (b) the Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber and  (c) the Minister for the South East in their roles as regional ministers.

Sadiq Khan: The information requested is in the following tables.
	
		
			  Jonathan Shaw MP - Regional Minister for the South East 
			   Location  Outline of engagement 
			 7 October 2008 Blackfriars, London LAA Roadshow - speech 
			 13 October 2008 Westminster Private dinner with Barbara Thorndick of West Kent Extra 
			 17 October 2008 Westminster SE Regional Assembly Executive Committee 
			 21 October 2008 Kent Science Centre, Sittingbourne SME Q and A session with Gordon Brown MP, John Denham MP and Lord Mandelson 
			 22 October 2008 Chatham Maritime Launch of Renishaw Regional (SE) Centre for Manufacturing Productivity 
			 30 October 2008 Southampton Speech and Q and A at SEEDA Annual Public Meeting 
		
	
	
		
			  Rosie Winterton MP - Regional Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber 
			   Location  Outline of engagement 
			 21 October 2008 Leeds Dinner with Governor Bank of England Royal Armouries - Dinner 
			 23 October 2008 Leeds Yorkshire and Humber Talent Debate - Attend event and speech 
			 23 October 2008 Leeds, Harewood and Holmfirth Tourism Visit - Visits to the Royal Armouries (Leeds); Harewood House (Harewood, Leeds); Ackroyd House (Thurnstonland, Holmfirth, Huddersfield); and Ashley Jackson's Studio (Holmfith, Huddersfield) 
			 27 October 2008 Doncaster Dial Doncaster - Visit 
			 31 October 2008 Catterick Garrison and Northallerton Visit to North Yorkshire - Visit to Catterick Garrison and Meeting with Officials from North Yorkshire's District Council's 
		
	
	
		
			  Tony McNulty MP - Regional Minister for London 
			   Location  Outline of engagement 
			 14 October 2008 Novotel, Hammersmith and Fulham Speech at Metropolitan Police Service Conference 
			 16 October 2008 Sattavis Pattidar Centre, Wembley, Brent Speech at London Gangs, Guns and Weapons Practitioners Forum 
			 23 October 2008 Riverwalk House, Westminster London Regional Resilience Forum meeting 
			 27 October 2008 Imperial College, Kensington and Chelsea Seminar with business leaders 
			 28 October 2008 Southwark Training Centre, Southwark Speech and tour at a Utilities Sector Panel Awareness Day 
			 28 October 2008 Riverwalk House, Westminster London Reception event at the Government Office for London 
			 30 October 2008 Pinner Grove, Harrow Visit to announce PFI Street Lighting Contract

Regional Planning and Development: Railways

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost was of the public inquiry into the Radlett rail freight proposals held in December 2007.

Iain Wright: There is no figure available which sets out the overall cost of the inquiry.

Sleeping Rough: North Yorkshire

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the number of rough sleepers there were estimated to be in each district in North Yorkshire in each of the last five years.

Iain Wright: The number of rough sleepers in North Yorkshire based on rough sleeper counts by individual local authorities for the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			   2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 Craven 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Hambleton 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Harrogate 0 2 0 0 0 0 
			 Richmondshire 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Ryedale 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Scarborough 0 0 3 3 0 0 
			 Selby 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 0 2 3 3 0 0

South East Plan

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2008,  Official Report, column 397W, on South East Plan, whether her Department circulated information about the South East Plan or the consultation on the South East Plan to  (a) individual residents,  (b) Guildford Borough Council,  (c) Waverley Borough Council,  (d) Surrey County Council,  (e) local newspapers and  (f) other advertising outlets.

Sadiq Khan: The draft South East Plan and earlier rounds of consultation were co-ordinated by the South East regional assembly, and a pre-submission consultation statement containing details of how they consulted can be found on their website at:
	http://www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/southeastplan/plan/view_plan.html
	We notified all of those who took part in earlier rounds of consultation, or took part in the Examination in Public that the consultation documents were available. This involved writing to some 8,000 addresses in the south-east of England.
	A press notice was issued to local news desks and placed on the Government Office website as well as the website of the regional assembly.
	A news article setting out the process and consultation details was included in the Government Office for the South East partners newsletter and was distributed to approximately 1,100 regional partners and stakeholders.

South East Plan

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what date the revised South East Plan will be published.

Sadiq Khan: The Secretary of State expects to publish the South East's regional spatial strategy in the spring of 2009.

Travelling People

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many authorised sites for Gypsies and Travellers are provided by local authorities in  (a) Essex,  (b) Suffolk,  (c) Norfolk,  (d) Kent,  (e) Hertfordshire,  (f) Berkshire,  (g) Cambridgeshire and  (h) Greater London.

Iain Wright: The bi-annual count of Gypsy and Traveller caravans provides information on local authority Gypsy and Traveller sites. This is available on our website at:
	www.communities.gov.uk.
	The number of authorised local authority sites as at January 2008 was as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 Essex 14 
			 Suffolk 1 
			 Norfolk 6 
			 Kent 16 
			 Hertfordshire 11 
			 Berkshire 8 
			 Cambridgeshire 14 
			 Greater London 34

Travelling People

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many cases of compulsory purchase of land there have been in England in order to build publicly-owned Gypsy and Traveller sites in the last 10 years.

Iain Wright: The information requested is not held centrally. The exercise of compulsory purchase powers is a matter for individual local authorities.

Travelling People

Eleanor Laing: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many authorised private Gypsy and Traveller sites there are in England.

Iain Wright: As at January 2008 there were 1,315 authorised private Gypsy and Traveller sites in England.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Biofuels

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 
	(1)  what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on biofuels;
	(2)  what discussions officials in his Department have had with officials in the Department for Transport on biofuels.

Joan Ruddock: The Department is in regular contact with the Department for Transport and its agencies, at both ministerial and official levels, to discuss a range of issues, including biofuels.

British Energy: EDF

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on which occasions Ministers in his Department have met senior executives of  (a) British Energy and  (b) EDF since its establishment.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18 November 2008,  Official Report, column 364W.

British Energy: Nuclear Liabilities Fund

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether the Nuclear Liabilities Fund plans to sell its British Energy bonds as part of the deal announced on 24 September 2008.

Mike O'Brien: British Energy (or any new owner) has the right to require the NLF to sell its bonds should it wish to repurchase them, and in any case would be required to offer to repurchase bonds due to the change of control of the company. Any decision as to whether to dispose of the bonds following such an offer would be a commercial matter for the Nuclear Liabilities Fund, in consultation with the Secretary of State.

Carbon Emissions: Housing

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many energy efficiency measures have been installed under the  (a) Carbon Emissions Reduction Target and  (b) Decent Homes programme in England in each (i) Government Office region, (ii) local authority area and (iii) constituency.

Joan Ruddock: Ofgem, which administers the carbon emissions reduction target (CERT) scheme for the Government, have said that there have been 28,136,069 measures for the period covering the first two quarters of CERT. This figure is not exhaustive as suppliers only report on the major measures such as insulation and compact fluorescent lamps at this point of the programme.
	Under CERT, Ofgem is only required to monitor energy suppliers' activity across Great Britain as a whole.
	Decent Homes is administered by Communities and Local Government.

Carbon Emissions: Local Authorities

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will list the local authorities he expects to fall within the scope of the Carbon Reduction Commitment; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 18 November 2008
	 Local authorities, as with all other participants in the Carbon Reduction Commitment, will be included if they meet the threshold of electricity consumption of 6000 MWh measured through half hourly meters during 2008. It will be for the local authorities themselves to assess their electricity consumption to establish whether they are above the threshold. DECC does not therefore have a list of local authority or other participants at this stage, though we expect most top tier authorities will be included.

Carbon Emissions: Local Authorities

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects the Carbon Reduction Commitment to apply to local authorities; what piloting of the scheme has taken place in  (a) England,  (b) Wales and  (c) Scotland; whether permits will be allocated or auctioned; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 18 November 2008
	The Carbon Reduction Commitment will begin in April 2010. The first phase, between April 2010 and March 2013, will be an introductory phase in which an unlimited number of allowances will be sold at a fixed price. This will allow participants to gain experience of the scheme before the capped phases begin in April 2013. There are no pilots of the scheme in operation. Allowances will be sold at a fixed price in the first phase and auctioned in subsequent phases rather than allocated.

Carbon Sequestration

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many responses he has received to his consultation on carbon capture readiness; if he will list those responses and summarise their contents; what steps he now intends to take on the matter; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Seventy-nine responses were received to the Towards Carbon Capture and Storage consultation which covered carbon capture readiness for new power stations among other topics. These responses are now being carefully analysed and considered. A list of respondents, together with a summary of their comments will be included as part of the Government's response to the consultation which will be published in due course.

Climate Change Group

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will place in the Library an organisational chart for the Climate Change Group.

Joan Ruddock: The detail of the future organisational structure of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is currently being determined, following its creation on 3 October 2008. The organisational chart will be placed in the Library in due course.

Climate Change: Local Area Agreements

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress has been made towards the climate change objectives included in the 2008 local area agreements.

Joan Ruddock: Progress by local authorities and their partners against climate change targets included in local area agreements for the period 2008-11, which were put in place in June 2008, will be assessed by the Audit Commission through the comprehensive area assessment process, to commence in April 2009.

Departmental Manpower

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many staff in his Department did not achieve an acceptable assessment grade in their annual report from the Department by which they were previously employed in the latest reporting year for which figures are available.

Mike O'Brien: The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) came into existence on 3 October 2008 and the list of staff who will be moving to the new Department is still being finalised. It is therefore not currently possible to provide a definitive answer to this question.
	The Departments for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will be replying separately to this question. Their answers will cover all staff who were in those Departments at the end of the 2007-08 reporting year (the latest year for which figures are available), including those staff who have now moved to DECC.

Departmental Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many staff in his Department are responsible for branding activity; and what the cost of employing such staff has been since his Department's creation.

Mike O'Brien: One member of staff deals with branding activity which occupies less than 30 per cent. of this member of staff's time. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) was formed on 3 October 2008 and since then the cost of employing staff to do branding activity, based on average staff costs, has been approximately 3,000.

Departmental Microgeneration

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress has been made on the installation of microgeneration and renewable technologies on the Departmental estate.

Mike O'Brien: DECC has been working with DEFRA estates, which maintains 3-8 Whitehall Place, in considering the application of various technologies that would improve the energy efficiency of the building. DECC intends to implement the guidance provided in Good Practice Guide 286Energy Performance in the Government's Civil Estate. As well as considering ways to improve the building's energy efficiency, we are also looking for opportunities to reduce our carbon, energy and water consumption through changes to the way in which we work. However the use of micro generation and onsite renewables at this building, with its central London location, is unlikely to be viable. 100 per cent. of the electricity supplied to 3-8 Whitehall Place is however generated from renewable sources. Electricity for other DECC locations, including Atholl House and temporary accommodation in Ergon House and 1 Victoria Street, is procured under a green tariff In addition, DECC is considering the feasibility of the connection of 3-8 Whitehall Place to the Whitehall District Heating System.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers in his Department has been since the establishment of the Department.

Mike O'Brien: None.

Energy Supply: Consumers

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what guidance his Department provides to energy suppliers on provision of notice periods to allow the cancellation of business or household energy supply contracts in the event of significant price rises.

Mike O'Brien: None. It is for Ofgem to provide any guidance.

Energy Supply: Fuel Poverty

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the expenditure by the six largest energy suppliers on social tariffs for their customers in the last 12 months; how much of such expenditure has been incurred as a result of the agreement between the energy companies and the Government on social tariffs; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 10 November 2008
	 Ofgem published its first Review of Suppliers' Voluntary Initiatives to Help Vulnerable Customers on 6 August 2007, which covered the period to July 2007. Ofgem updated this report in October 2007. Both reports can be found online at:
	http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/CSR/Documents1/Review%20of%20suppliers%20voluntary %20initiatives.pdf.
	http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Suppliers/CSR/Documents1/CSR_update%20open%20letter%2023507.pdf
	The reports show that, at that time, the savings to customers from being on a social tariff was estimated to be just under 25 million. Annex 1 of the update shows suppliers' own estimates on their spend on social tariffs which totals just over 26 million.
	Following the announcement in Budget 2008, energy suppliers agreed in April, to increase how much they are spending on social programmes. This year they will be spending collectively 100 million, rising to 125 million in 2009-10 and 150 million in 2010-11.
	Expenditure on social tariffs during the first year of the voluntary agreement will be published in Ofgem's next reporting cycle in 2009. However, early indications from suppliers show that since this time last year the numbers of customer accounts on social tariffs have at least doubled.
	Ofgem will shortly be publishing a report on suppliers' social programmes, including their social tariffs, for the period to the end of March 2008.

Energy: Conservation

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what strategies his Department has in place to reduce energy consumption by high street shops; what targets are in place as part of those strategies; and what progress is being made in reaching these targets.

Mike O'Brien: The Government have in place a variety of measures aimed at improving energy efficiency in businesses of all sizes, including retail outlets.
	The Carbon Trust works with business and the public sector, helping organisations to cut their energy bills and carbon emissions. The Carbon Trust provides a number of services including energy efficiency advice and interest free energy efficiency loans for small and medium-sized enterprises. In 2007-08, the Carbon Trust helped customers implement energy and carbon saving measures resulting in some 207 million savings from their annual costs and since inception has helped deliver cost savings of nearly 1 billion. The Trust is also working with the British Retail Consortium to support its new Climate Change initiative A Better Retailing Climate which details the BRC's commitment to lowering emissions across the retail sector through a suite of initiatives, including reducing emissions from buildings by 15 per cent. by 2013.
	The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) is a new mandatory emissions trading scheme that will cover large businesses, including large retailers and will start in 2010. The CRC will have a significant impact on reducing UK carbon emissions and offers the potential to save money through energy efficiency. Analysis indicates that, by driving energy efficiency, the CRC will deliver emissions reductions cost-effectively, saving participants money, and enabling green growthyielding a positive net present value to participants of 755 million.

Energy: Consumption

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on what evidence and analysis the final energy consumption projection for 2020 of 1,740 TWh in the Energy White Paper was based.

Mike O'Brien: The projection of final energy consumption of 1,740 TWh is based on energy projections informing the Energy White Paper in May 2007 and published as a supporting document. The figure of 1,740 TWh quoted is based on the Eurostat definition of final energy consumption which includes energy losses by generators and defines final energy consumption on a net calorific rather than a gross calorific basis.
	The Energy White Paper projections are provided by the Department's energy model and were published alongside the Energy White Paper. The energy model is a model of the UK energy market. Energy demand is modelled based on historic relationships between energy demand and key assumptions on economic growth, population and energy prices. The projections of future consumption take account the existing policy measures. The projections based on a range of assumptions to reflect uncertainty. Details of the assumptions are included in the publication
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file39580.pdf.
	I am placing a copy of the information in the Libraries of the House.

Energy: Prices

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps are being taken to ensure energy customers are informed of proposed price increases by energy suppliers before entering into lengthy contracts.

Mike O'Brien: In the domestic sector, longer term contracts are typically at a fixed price, which provides customers with more certainty about their future expenditure. In the business sector, contract may be on a fixed or variable basis. It is for the business customer to consider the range of offers by suppliers. Variable price contracts will change according to a range of factors including movements in wholesale prices. A supplier can therefore, only provide a prospective customer with a price at a particular time. That price may subsequently rise or fall.

Fuel Poverty

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change who he expects to conduct the street-by-street visits in fuel-poor areas under the home energy saving scheme; and what information will be  (a) collected and  (b) stored.

Joan Ruddock: The policy detail of the Community Energy Savings Programme is currently under discussion with stakeholders. The Government will undertake a formal consultation and will seek views on these issues. It would therefore be inappropriate to pre-empt the outcome of this consultation.

Fuel Poverty: Barnet

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will assess the effect of increasing energy prices on people living in Chipping Barnet constituency as part of his Department's work on fuel poverty.

Joan Ruddock: The most recent fuel poverty estimates are available for 2006 in the Sixth Annual Progress report on the Fuel Poverty Strategy:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file48036.pdf
	These show that in the UK, there were around 3.5 million households living in fuel poverty in 2006 and around 2.4 million in England. The statistical annex to this report gives indicative projections for fuel poverty in England. These show an estimated further 1.2 million households moving into fuel poverty between 2006 and 2008, largely due to fuel price increases. Projections are not made below national level.
	The Government will continue to keep fuel poverty policies under constant review to ensure that the Fuel Poverty Strategy and the Government's policies, initiatives and measures are fit for purpose to respond to new challenges.

Global Threat Reduction Programme

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the progress of the Global Threat Reduction Programme towards the commitments made at the G8 Summit in Kananaskis.

Mike O'Brien: The Global Threat Reduction Programme (GTRP) constitutes the UK contribution to the 'Global Partnership' a 10-year, $20 billion international programme established as a G8 Initiative at the Canadian G8 Summit in Kananaskis in 2002 to prevent the proliferation of dangerous nuclear, radiological, chemical and biological materials and expertise. The Department is responsible for the nuclear and radiological elements of this international programme, MOD is responsible for the chemical and biological aspects and the policy lead for all non-proliferation work is provided by FCO.
	The then Prime Minister committed the UK to contribute up to $750 million between 2002 and 2012, and over halfway through the programme, the UK has spent over 230 million (equivalent to $350 million at 2002 rates) in achieving these international threat reduction programme initiatives.
	The Government publish an annual report which provides an assessment of the progress being made by the UK's portfolio of projects. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House and can be viewed online from:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/energy/nonproliferation/globalthreatreduction/arenglish/page40802.html
	The annual report for 2008 is being prepared with expected publication in early 2009.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many people have received a Warm Front scheme grant in  (a) Houghton and Washington East constituency,  (b) Sunderland,  (c) the North East and  (d) England in each year since its inception.

Joan Ruddock: The following table illustrates the number of households assisted in  (a) Houghton and Washington East constituency,  (b) Sunderland,  (c) the North East and  (d) England in each full year since the schemes inception
	
		
			   Houghton and Washington East  Sunderland (local authority)  North East England  England (all) 
			 2000-01 325 1,126 12,435 97,616 
			 2001-02 647 3,298 39,061 307,678 
			 2002-03 609 2,899 21,116 219,328 
			 2003-04 726 2,523 20,390 188,974 
			 2004-05 449 1,622 15,420 208,084 
			 2005-06 372 1,347 11,418 173,184 
			 2006-07 769 2,943 20,683 253,079 
			 2007-08 733 2,478 18,865 268,900

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much has been paid to Eaga plc for delivery of Warm Front grants to households in each of the last five years.

Joan Ruddock: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Plaskitt) on 11 November 2008,  Official Report, column 1137W.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many Warm Front grant contracts have been awarded to installers  (a) owned by and  (b) connected to Eaga plc.

Joan Ruddock: Eaga, as main contractor for the Warm Front scheme, agreed with the Department at the outset of its contract in 2005 that a total of 30 per cent. of scheme capacity would be carried out by Eaga's in-house installers.
	Throughout the contracted scheme period (June 2005 and October 2008) 27 per cent. of jobs allocated have gone to Eaga's in-house contractors.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many homes in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency have received home insulation through the Warm Front scheme.

Joan Ruddock: 1,032 households received an insulation measure through the Warm Front Scheme in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency between 1 June 2000 and 28 July 2008.
	Eaga plc continue to provide regular updates of Warm Front installation figures to every MP in England delivered through individual constituency websites.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the average period under the Warm Front scheme between qualification and installation of  (a) a boiler,  (b) draught excluders and  (c) insulation was at the latest date for which figures are available.

Joan Ruddock: Under the Warm Front scheme the average waiting time to complete heating and insulation jobs, from the identification of required works, in the current scheme year (1 April 2008 to 25 October 2008) was 63 working days and 38 working days respectively.
	Timelines contracted with the Department are 120 working days for heating measures and 40 working days for insulation measures.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when the contract to supply Warm Front services is next due to be put out to tender.

Joan Ruddock: The current contract with Eaga plc runs until 2010 with an option to extend for a further two years. A decision on whether or not to exercise this option will be taken in due course.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what average price was quoted by Eaga contractors under the Warm Front scheme for the installation of  (a) loft insulation,  (b) boiler replacement,  (c) draft excluders and  (d) double glazing in the latest period for which figures are available.

Joan Ruddock: Prices are commercially sensitive, however all works undertaken by the warm front scheme are subject to a harmonised pricing structure. This framework mandates a regional equalisation of costs of all insulation and heating jobs undertaken through the scheme.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many and what proportion of successful applicants to the Warm Front scheme received a grant worth the full cost of the quote for works to their home in the latest period for which figures are available.

Joan Ruddock: Over the current scheme year 2008-09, 1 April to 25 October, 108,887 households have been assisted by the Warm Front scheme. 72,630 (67 per cent.) of these households had their work covered entirely by the grant allocation.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households in  (a) Crosby constituency and  (b) England have received Warm Front grants in each year since the establishment of the scheme.

Joan Ruddock: The following table illustrates the number of households assisted by the Warm Front scheme in  (a) Crosby constituency and  (b) England in each full year since the scheme's inception.
	
		
			  Scheme year  Crosby constituency  England (all) 
			 2000-01 160 97,616 
			 2001-02 523 307,678 
			 2002-03 622 219,328 
			 2003-04 553 188,974 
			 2004-05 402 208,084 
			 2005-06 417 173,184 
			 2006-07 542 253,079 
			 2007-08 493 268,900

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many applicants for a Warm Front grant aged  (a) under and  (b) over 60 years were informed that they (i) would and (ii) would not need to pay a contribution towards warm front funded improvements in each year since the introduction of contributions.

Joan Ruddock: The following table illustrates the number of contributions requested of Warm Front customers aged  (a) under and  (b) over 60 years of age since contributions were introduced to the scheme.
	
		
			   Scheme year 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09 (to 25 October) 
			  (a) Contributions requested of under 60s 4,321 16,481 28,445 14,167 
			  (b) Contributions requested of over 60s 6,402 21,959 38,201 21,356 
			 All contributions requested 10,723 38,440 66,646 35,523 
			 Total households assisted (1)114,595 253,079 268,900 108,887 
			 (1 )Households assisted in this scheme year once client contributions were introduced.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much was paid in Warm Front grants to residents in Crosby constituency in 2007-08.

Joan Ruddock: In the period 1 April 2007 to 30 March 2008, 877,955.86 was spent on measures delivered through the Warm Front scheme to residents of Crosby constituency.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme: Greater London

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many people who have qualified for energy efficiency improvements under the Warm Front scheme in each London borough were waiting for those improvements to be made at the latest date for which figures are available.

Joan Ruddock: The following table illustrates the number of main measures (a heating or insulation-related job) allocated by the Warm Front scheme in its current contracted period, in each of the London boroughs, and those that have not been invoiced for, as at 16 November 2008.
	
		
			  Local authority  Main measures allocated in the current contracted period, June 2005 to November 2008  Main measures allocated but not invoiced, as at 16 November 2008 
			 Barking and Dagenham 1,474 168 
			 Barnet 1,373 218 
			 Bexley 1,993 194 
			 Brent 1,527 151 
			 Bromley 1,966 296 
			 Camden 241 44 
			 Croydon 2,223 202 
			 Ealing 2,265 285 
			 Enfield 1,865 239 
			 Greenwich 1,392 146 
			 Hackney 530 77 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 277 29 
			 Haringey 1,585 199 
			 Harrow 1,380 116 
			 Havering 2,657 323 
			 Hillingdon 1,412 115 
			 Hounslow 1,062 93 
			 Islington 204 36 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 95 17 
			 Kingston upon Thames 437 48 
			 Lambeth 1,052 171 
			 Lewisham 1,419 159 
			 Merton 1,084 116 
			 Newham 2,320 281 
			 Redbridge 2,478 248 
			 Richmond upon Thames 487 43 
			 Southwark 491 75 
			 Sutton 852 104 
			 Tower Hamlets 446 73 
			 Waltham Forest 2,015 192 
			 Wandsworth 714 110 
			 Westminster 208 26 
			  Notes: 1. As households can receive both heating and insulation measures, figures in this table are not comparable with the number of households awaiting measures. 2. The lack of invoice for a job is not necessarily related to whether the work has been physically carried out.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme: Greater London

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many people have  (a) applied and  (b) qualified for help under the Warm Front scheme in each London borough since the establishment of the scheme, broken down by age of applicant.

Joan Ruddock: A table illustrating  (a) the number of households making applications to the Warm Front Scheme and  (b) those eligible for assistance, broken down by London borough and age group, over the period 1 June 2000 and 16 November 2008, has been placed in the House Libraries.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme: North Yorkshire

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households in the Vale of York have received Warm Front grants in each of the last three years; and how many he estimates will have received grants before the end of March 2009.

Joan Ruddock: The following table illustrates the number of households assisted by the Warm Front scheme in the Vale of York in each of the last three years.
	The number of households that will be assisted by March 2009 is entirely dependent on the number of households that apply and whether they are eligible
	
		
			  Scheme year  Assisted households 
			 2005-06 159 
			 2006-07 386 
			 2007-08 447

Ministers: Cabinet

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which Cabinet committees and sub-committees he attends.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's written ministerial statement of 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 8WS.

Natural Gas: Storage

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the total capacity is of proposed gas storage projects which are awaiting regulatory consent.

Mike O'Brien: Details of gas storage projects at various stages of development are given in 'Transporting Britain's Energy 2008: Development of NTS Investment Scenarios' published by National Grid in July 2008available online at:
	http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Gas/OperationalInfo/TBE/
	Table A2 shows the status of four projects as planning applied for, with a total storage capacity of approximately 2.2 billion cubic metres.

Nuclear Installations Inspectorate

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many staff are employed by the nuclear installations inspectorate  (a) on a full-time equivalent basis and  (b) on a headcount basis, broken down by grade.

Jonathan R Shaw: I have been asked to reply.
	The answer to this question is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  The number of staff employed in the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Directorate at 1 October 2008 
			  Job band( 1)  Headcount  Full-time equivalent 
			 Band 1 28 27.19 
			 Band 2 115 110.09 
			 Band 3 62 61.61 
			 Band 4 14 12.83 
			 Band 5 30 27.72 
			 Band 6 65 53.78 
			 SCS(2) 7 6.47 
			 Total 321 299.69 
			 (1 )Grade (2) Senior Civil Servants 
		
	
	These figures exclude nine agency administrative staff and four temporary secondees/contractors.

Nuclear Installations Inspectorate

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the total budget of the nuclear installations inspectorate  (a) was in each of the past five financial years,  (b) is in 2008-09 and  (c) will be in each of the next five financial years.

Jonathan R Shaw: I have been asked to reply.
	The answer to this question is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Gross expenditure of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Nuclear Directorate (ND) 
			  Financial year  000 
			 2003-04 19,397 
			 2004-05 19,252 
			 2005-06 19,881 
			 2006-07 19,643 
			 2007-08 24,977 
			 2008-09 28,256 
			  Notes: 1. These are actual gross expenditure figures of the Nuclear Directorate (ND) itself for 2003-04 to 2007-08 and forecast for 2008-09. 2. ND recovers some 97 per cent. of these nuclear installations costs (and a pro rata share of the additional associated HSE overhead and central costs) as income through charges to industry under the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 and Health and Safety (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2007. Since 2007-08 this has also included 100 per cent. recovery of the Office for Civil Nuclear Security costs (and a pro rata share of the additional associated HSE overhead and central costs) recovered under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, the Energy Act 2004, the extant security provisions of the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 (as amended) and, in respect of nuclear material, the Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954. 3. HSE has issued indicative ND budget allocations for 2009-10 and 2010-11 (29,973k and 30,930k respectively) but these will shortly be revised as part of HSE's annual planning process to reflect expected activity in these years. 4. HSE will set budgets for 2011-12 and beyond upon receipt of its spending review 2010 settlement in due course. 5. The figures for 2007-08 onwards include the Office for Civil Nuclear Security and the UK Safeguards Office who joined HSE from the Department for Trade and Industry on 1 April 2007 (2.3 million and 0.3 million respectively). 6. The figures in 2007-08 and previous to this include costs of HSE Corporate Topic Groups which ND managed on behalf of HSE.

Nuclear Installations Inspectorate

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many new staff members were recruited by the nuclear installations inspectorate following the recruitment campaign that began in December 2007.

Jonathan R Shaw: I have been asked to reply.
	Since December 2007, HSE has run three nuclear recruitment campaigns. From the first two campaigns 15 nuclear inspectors have already taken up post, another two have accepted but have not yet taken up duty, and the final one is currently negotiating terms and conditions. Interviews of applicants from the most recent campaign are still underway: 25 applicants are under consideration.

Nuclear Installations Inspectorate

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the job titles are of posts filled by the nuclear installations inspectorate following the recruitment campaign that began in December 2007.

Jonathan R Shaw: I have been asked to reply.
	There are no specific job titles of posts filled by the NII all of which are classed as band 3 nuclear inspector grade.
	All nuclear inspectors have been allocated across the nuclear directorate in the following disciplines:
	Chemical engineering;
	Civil engineering;
	Fault studies;
	Mechanical engineering;
	Radiation protection;
	Structural integrity;
	Radiation waste management;
	Management for safety;
	Quality assurance.

Nuclear Installations Inspectorate

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department's most recent estimate is of the cost to  (a) the nuclear installations inspectorate and  (b) other bodies within or sponsored by his Department of the generic design assessment.

Jonathan R Shaw: I have been asked to reply.
	As of 14 November 2008, HSE Nuclear Directorate total estimated generic design assessment (GDA) cost is:
	
		
			  Year period  Actual/forecast  Cost () 
			 2007-08 Actual 2,265,561 
			 2008-09 Actual quarter 1 and 2 2,063,440 
			 2008-09 Forecast quarter 3 and 4 2,088,029 
			 2009-10 Forecast 11,280,000 
			 2010-11 Forecast 10,789,000 
			 2011-12 Forecast 1,753,000 
			 Total  30,239,029 
		
	
	Actual costs are based on running costs (payroll, travel and subsistence, training, staff subs etc. for inspectors and admin staff) and a proportion of external consultancy costs (programme expenditure) relevant to generic design assessment work. The costs also include a pro rata share of HSE's corporate overhead costs.
	The above costs include both safety and security of generic design assessment aspects. They do not include Environment Agency/Scottish Environment Protection Agency costs, which operate under a separate charging regime, as neither agency is sponsored by DWP.
	Forecast costs based on the same premise as above but also include:
	estimate costs of recently appointed project managers and technical support contractors who will be assisting Nuclear Directorate review GDA submissions.
	reduction from four to two requesting parties.

Renewable Energy: Electricity Generation

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward plans to support the installation of high voltage direct current cabling and infrastructure for the distribution of offshore and onshore renewable electricity generation.

Mike O'Brien: The existing onshore electricity grid network is for alternating current (AC), which is the most economic for transmission over shorter distances. high voltage direct current (DC) grid is more costly but generally more economic over longer distances.
	The transmission companies are funded and incentivised (including incentives to innovate technically) to deliver the most economic and efficient infrastructure reinforcements for the development of the GB grid to connect the large amount of new generation, including renewables expected to connect in the coming years. Decisions on which technology to use are therefore a matter for the transmission companies.

Renewable Energy: International Co-operation

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the content of the discussion of the development of alternative energy sources that occurred at the Jeddah Energy meeting in June 2008; how that discussion will inform the Government's stance on the development of alternative energy sources during the international summit of oil producers and consumers in London on 19 December; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Communiqu associated with the Energy meeting held in Jeddah in June this year, called for further action in the promotion of energy efficiency in all sectors, technology transfer and an exchange of the best practices and applications in the fields of energy resources production and consumption.
	The London Energy Meeting being held on 19 December will be the next step in enhancing the dialogue between producing and consuming countries, in particular, reporting on progress of the agreed Jeddah commitments. This will include opportunities for collaboration in technology and alternative energy sources and promoting energy efficiency measures.
	The UK has made progress against this agenda in a number of areas:
	The recent announcement from E.ON and Masdar to invest in the 1000 megawatt (MW) London Array offshore wind farm.
	The announcement this month of a new 250 million UK-Qatar Clean Technology Investment Fund will be set up to develop and deploy low emission energy and technology.
	Hosting a meeting of international experts to discuss measures to put the UK at the forefront of the research, development and early commercial deployment of low emission transport. Key announcements included 100 million for research, development and demonstration of low carbon including electric vehicles.

Renewable Energy: National Grid

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the cost likely to be incurred by the National Grid in order to meet the 2020 renewables target.

Mike O'Brien: An independent study (by SKM Energy Consultants) commissioned in support of the Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation estimates that meeting the 2020 renewables target will require around 10 billion of new investment in our electricity network, by transmission companies including National Grid. This figure is based on a 35 per cent. renewable electricity scenario, with around 70-80 per cent. being the cost of connecting offshore wind farms.
	The study also estimated that the cost of ancillary services needed to meet system balancing requirements under a 35 per cent. renewables scenario would be around 2.3 billion per annum.
	A vision for the electricity network needed for 2020, including likely scenarios and associated investment to deliver necessary network capacity, is currently being developed by National Grid and the Scottish Transmission Companies under the auspices of the Electricity Networks Strategy Group www.ensg.gov.uk/ (a senior industry group chaired by DECC and Ofgem) and a report is expected early next year.
	The regulatory framework for offshore electricity transmission is currently under development. The intention is for new investment in offshore networks to be made under a competitive tender approach.
	 Note:
	All costs are expressed in 2008 prices and undiscounted.

River Severn: Tidal Power

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what account the Severn tidal power feasibility study has taken of the Government's carbon dioxide emission reduction targets.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 20 November 2008
	The feasibility study will set the potential carbon savings of the long list of options for tidal power in the Severn estuary in the context of the UK's commitments under the forthcoming EU Renewable Energy Directive, the 2020 and 2050 targets for emissions reduction under the Climate Change Bill, and the carbon budgets to be set in the light of the advice of the Committee of Climate Change to be published soon.

Strategic Siting Assessment

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 231W, on applying the proposed strategic siting assessment criteria, how the stakeholders invited to the engagement events were chosen; and what publicity his Department's predecessor gave to public participation in each event.

Mike O'Brien: As part of the consultation on the strategic siting assessment the Department held three stakeholder events in London, Bristol and Manchester. These events were designed to inform key stakeholder groups of the consultation and to seek their views. We tried to ensure we captured a broad range of views and invited local authorities, unions, environmental groups, business representatives, companies involved in the nuclear industry, law firms and other organisations. In addition we also invited those people who had responded to previous consultations and who had asked to be kept informed of events.

Uranium: Prices

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the price of uranium during the whole lifetime of any new nuclear power station built in the UK.

Mike O'Brien: The price of uranium is subject, as with other commodities, to market variances. We have therefore not made any assumptions about the future price of uranium.
	The Government's White Paper on nuclear energy, published in January 2008, acknowledged that since the price of nuclear fuel represents a much smaller part of the cost of electricity than for other technologies, even significant price increases would have only a limited effect on overall generating costs.

Warm Front Scheme

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many homes in Enfield North constituency have received home insulation through the Warm Front scheme.

Joan Ruddock: 1,076 households received an insulation measure through the Warm Front scheme between 1 June 2000 and 28 July 2008.
	Eaga plc continue to provide regular updates of Warm Front installation figures to every MP in England delivered through individual constituency websites.